1.n., adv., adj., & v.
--n. a ball of lead or other heavy material, esp. one attached to the end of a line for finding the depth of water or determining the vertical on an upright surface.
--adv.
1. exactly (plumb in the centre).
2 vertically.
3 US sl. quite, utterly (plumb crazy).
--adj.
1. vertical.
2 downright, sheer (plumb nonsense).
3 Cricket (of the wicket) level, true.
--v.tr.
1. a measure the depth of (water) with a plumb. b determine (a depth).
2 test (an upright surface) to determine the vertical.
3 reach or experience in extremes (plumb the depths of fear).
4 learn in detail the facts about (a matter).
Phrases and idioms:
out of plumb not vertical. plumb-line a line with a plumb attached. plumb-rule a mason's plumb-line attached to a board.
Etymology: ME, prob. ult. f. L plumbum lead, assim. to OF plomb lead 2. v.
1. tr. provide (a building or room etc.) with plumbing.
2 tr. (often foll. by in) fit as part of a plumbing system.
3 intr. work as a plumber.
Etymology: back-form. f. PLUMBER