plumb

Definition

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

Etymology

From Middle English plumbe, plumme, from Old French *plombe, from Latin plumba, plural of plumbum.

Example Sentences

• "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."