noun

1. 1. a feather, esp. a large, fluffy, or showy one
   2. a cluster of such feathers
2. an ornament made of a large feather or feathers, or of a feathery tuft of hair, esp. when worn on a hat, helmet, etc. as a mark of distinction
3. any token of worth or achievement; prize
4. plumage or down
5. something like a plume in shape or lightness a plume of smoke
6. Biol. a featherlike formation or part
7. Geol. a plume-shaped mass of molten rock that rises through the crust from the mantle of the earth and causes volcanic activity

Etymology: OFr < L pluma, downy part of a feather, small soft feather < IE base *pleus-, to pluck out, fluff of wool, hair > fleece

transitive verb plumed, pluming plum′·ing

1. to provide, cover, or adorn with plumes
2. 1. to smooth the feathers of (itself)
   2. to preen (its feathers): said of a bird
3. to pride (oneself)