Plumb /(plŭm)/

Plumb

n.
  1. A little mass or weight of lead, or the like, attached to a line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical direction; a plummet; a plumb bob. See Plumb line, below.

Phrases & Compounds
Plumb bob
See Bob, 4.
Plumb joint
in sheet-metal work, a lap joint, fastened by solder.
Plumb level
See under Level.
Plumb line
The cord by which a plumb bob is suspended; a plummet
Plumb rule
a narrow board with a plumb line, used by builders and carpenters.

Plumb

a.
  1. Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.

Plumb

adv.
  1. In a plumb direction; perpendicularly.

Plumb

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Plumbed; p. pr. & vb. n. Plumbing

  1. To adjust by a plumb line; to cause to be perpendicular; as, to plumb a building or a wall.
  2. To sound with a plumb or plummet, as the depth of water; hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth, quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test.
    He did not attempt to plumb his intellect.
    — Ld. Lytton.
  3. To seal with lead; as, to plumb a drainpipe.
  4. To supply, as a building, with a system of plumbing.