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).
Derivatives:
plumeless adj. plumelike adj. plumery n.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L pluma down