plummet n : the metal bob of a plumb line [syn: plumb bob, plumb] v : drop sharply; "The stock market plummeted" [syn: plump]

English

Etymology

From plommet, recorded since 1382, "ball of lead, plumb of a bob-line," from plommet or plomet, the diminutive of plom, plum, 'lead, sounding lead', itself from French plomb, from plumbum. The verb is first recorded in 1626, originally meaning "to fathom, take soundings," from the noun.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ʌmɪt

Noun

1. : A piece of lead attached to a line, used in sounding the depth of water.

   I'll sink him deeper than e'er plummet sounded. -Shak.

2. : A plumb bob or a plumb line. See under plumb, n.
3. : Hence, any weight.
4. : A piece of lead formerly used by school children to rule paper for writing
5. hence a plummet line, a line with a plummet; a sounding line.

Translations

Verb

1. To drop swiftly, in a direct manner; to fall quickly.

   After its ascent, the arrow plummeted to earth.

Translations

• Dutch: omlaagschieten, tuimelen
• Italian: precipitare

Synonyms

• dive
• drop
• fall

Antonyms

• ascend
• rise

See also

• plumb line
• plumb

References

Plummet may refer to one of the following:

• Plumb-bob, a weight with a pointed tip on the bottom that is suspended from a string and used as a reference line that is perpendicular to the ground
• Sinker (fishing)
• Plummet (musicians), a trance duo

See also: Plumb

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