PLUMMET


Meaning of PLUMMET in English

I. ˈpləmə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English plomet, from Middle French plommet, plombet ball of lead, from plomb lead + -et — more at plumb

1.

a. : sounding lead

b. : plumb bob ; also : plumb line

c. obs Scotland : a weighted knob on the pommel of a sword or dirk

d. obsolete : a leaden ball (as on the thong of a scourge)

e. : a weight for a clock

f. : a leaden weight on an angler's line

g. : a piece of lead formerly used for marking (as in ruling paper before writing)

h. : an ancient Egyptian amulet resembling a plumb bob

i. : a float that somewhat resembles a plumb bob in shape and is used to determine the specific gravity of a liquid

2. : something that weighs down or depresses

II. intransitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

1. : to fall perpendicularly

the plane plummeted to earth

2. : to drop sharply and abruptly

prices may plummet later

blood pressure plummeted to 60/20

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.