plummet

Definition

A piece of lead attached to a line, used in sounding the depth of water; a plumb bob or a plumb line.

Etymology

From Middle English plommet (“ball of lead, plumb of a bob-line”), recorded since 1382, from Old French plommet or plomet, the diminutive of plom, plum (“lead, sounding lead”), from Latin plumbum (“lead”). The verb is first recorded in 1626, originally meaning “to fathom, take soundings", from the noun.

Example Sentences

• "I'le ſeeke him deeper than ere plummet ſounded, / And with him there lye mudded."
• "Iudgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousnesse to the plummet: and the haile shall sweepe away the refuge of lyes, and the waters shall ouerflow the hiding place."
• "Each long black hair upon his head hung down as straight as any plummet line; […]"