plumb

Definitions

1. noun

   A little mass of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction.

2. noun

   A weight on the end of a long line, used by sailors to determine the depth of water.

3. noun

   The perpendicular direction or position.

   Example

   • Customers turned away from rickety chairs, stands of drawers that refused to open, or had no handles, lop-sided wardrobes whose doors were out of plumb or whose mirrors were cracked.
4. adjective

   Truly vertical, as indicated by a plumb line.

   ≈perpendicular
5. adjective

   Describing an LBW where the batsman is hit on the pads directly in front of their wicket and should be given out.

6. adverb

   In a vertical direction; perpendicularly.

   Example

   • Plumb down he drops.
7. adverb

   Squarely, directly; deeply, completely.

   Examples

   • It hit him plumb in the middle of his face.
   • Years ago the well plumb dried out, not a drop of water in there since.
8. verb

   To determine the depth, generally of a liquid; to sound.

9. verb

   To attach to a water supply and drain.

   Example

   • The kitchen sink is now plumbed in / up.
10. verb

    To think about or explore in depth, to get to the bottom of.

    Examples

    • to plumb the depths of
    • Delving to the core of her heart, his blue-green eyes plumbed her psyche, stripping it of all defenses, all resolve.