n. & v.
n. 1 a feather, esp. a large one used for ornament. 2 an ornament of feathers etc. attached to a helmet or hat or worn in the hair. 3 something resembling this (a plume of smoke). 4 Zool. a feather-like part or formation.
v. 1 tr. decorate or provide with a plume or plumes. 2 refl. (foll. by on, upon) pride (oneself on esp. something trivial). 3 tr. (of a bird) preen (itself or its feathers). plumeless adj. plumelike adj. plumery n.
[ ME f. OF f. L pluma down ]