Chapter Plugger to Plumy of P by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

Plumb
(Plumb) n. [F. plomb, L. plumbum lead, a leaden ball or bullet; cf. Gr. mo`lybos, mo`libos, mo`lybdos. Cf. Plummet, Plunge.] A little mass or weight of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction; a plummet; a plumb bob. See Plumb line, below.

Plumb bob. See Bob, 4. — Plumb joint, in sheet-metal work, a lap joint, fastened by solder. — Plumb level. See under Level. — Plumb line. (a) The cord by which a plumb bob is suspended; a plummet. (b) A line directed to the center of gravity of the earth. — Plumb rule, a narrow board with a plumb line, used by builders and carpenters.

Plumb
(Plumb), a. Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.

Plumb
(Plumb), adv. In a plumb direction; perpendicularly. "Plumb down he falls." Milton.

Plumb
(Plumb), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plumbed (plumd); p. pr. & vb. n. Plumbing ]

1. To adjust by a plumb line; to cause to be perpendicular; as, to plumb a building or a wall.

2. To sound with a plumb or plummet, as the depth of water; hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth, quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test.

He did not attempt to plumb his intellect.

Ld. Lytton.

3. To seal with lead; as, to plumb a drainpipe.

4. To supply, as a building, with a system of plumbing.

Plumbage
(Plumb"age) n. Leadwork [R.]

Plumbagin
(Plum*ba"gin) n. [L. plumbago leadwort, fr. plumbum lead; cf. F. plombagin.] (Chem.) A crystalline substance said to be found in the root of a certain plant of the Leadwort (Plumbago) family.

Plumbagineous
(Plum`ba*gin"e*ous) a. (Bot.) Pertaining to natural order (Plumbagineæ) of gamopetalous herbs, of which Plumbago is the type. The order includes also the marsh rosemary, the thrift, and a few other genera.

Plumbaginous
(Plum*bag"i*nous) a. Resembling plumbago; consisting of, or containing, plumbago; as, a plumbaginous slate.

Plumbago
(Plum*ba"go), n. [L., from plumbum lead.]

1. (Min.) Same as Graphite.

2. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants with pretty salver-shaped corollas, usually blue or violet; leadwort.

Plumbean
(Plum"be*an Plum"be*ous) a. [L. plumbeus, from plumbum the metal lead.]

1. Consisting of, or resembling, lead. J. Ellis.

2. Dull; heavy; stupid. [R.] J. P. Smith.

Plumber
(Plumb"er) n. [F. plombier. See Plumb.] One who works in lead; esp., one who furnishes, fits, and repairs lead, iron, or glass pipes, and other apparatus for the conveyance of water, gas, or drainage in buildings.

Plumber block
(Plumb"er block`) A pillow block.