plumb

• Adjectif désuet signifiant 'parfaitement vertical' ou 'exact', 'juste' ; également utilisé familièrement pour signifier 'complet', 'total' ou 'absolu'.

An archaic adjective meaning 'completely vertical' or 'downright'; also used informally to mean 'utter' or 'absolute'.

1. Exactly verticalB2formal

   Perfectly straight up and down; perpendicular to the horizon.

   à plomb

   • The wall must be plumb before we install the cabinets.
   • The carpenter checked that the post was plumb with a level.
   • The tower is not perfectly plumb after the earthquake.

   Synonymeserectperpendicularuprightvertical

   Antonymesaskewcrookedflathorizontallevelslanted

• Adverbe signifiant « exactement », « complètement » ou « verticalement ». Souvent utilisé familièrement pour renforcer, comme dans « complètement fou » ou « en plein milieu ».

An adverb meaning 'exactly,' 'completely,' or 'vertically.' It is often used informally for emphasis, as in 'plumb crazy' or 'plumb in the middle.'

1. Completely or absolutelyB2informalamerican

   Used as an intensifier to mean entirely or absolutely.

   complètement, absolument

   • He plumb forgot about the appointment.
   • She was plumb exhausted after the long hike.
   • The idea is plumb crazy, but it might work.

   Synonymesabsolutelycompletelydownrightentirelyquitetotallyutterlywholly

2. Vertically straightC1formal

   In a direction that is exactly vertical, as determined by a plumb line.

   à la verticale

   • The wall must be built plumb to ensure stability.
   • The carpenter checked that the post was standing plumb.
   • The tower leans slightly and is not perfectly plumb.

   Synonymesperpendicularlyvertically

   Antonymesaslantdiagonallyhorizontallyobliquely

3. B2informalamerican

   Used to mean exactly or precisely in position or time.

   exactement, précisément

   • The arrow landed plumb in the center of the target.
   • He sat down plumb in the middle of the sofa.
   • The answer hit plumb on the mark.

   Synonymesdeadexactlyjustpreciselyrightsquarely

• Nom désignant un poids en métal, souvent en plomb, fixé à une ligne, utilisé dans la construction et la géodésie pour déterminer la verticale.

A noun referring to the metal weight or bob attached to a plumb line, used in construction and surveying to determine vertical alignment.

1. Plumb bobC1formal

   A small, heavy object, typically made of lead, attached to a line and used to determine vertical alignment or depth.

   Fil à plomb (masse)

   • The carpenter used a plumb to ensure the wall was perfectly vertical.
   • He dropped the plumb into the well to measure its depth.
   • The plumb swung gently as he checked the alignment of the post.

   Synonymesbobplumb bobplummet

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de mesurer ou explorer la profondeur de quelque chose, ou de comprendre en profondeur un sujet complexe.

A verb used to indicate the act of measuring or exploring the depth of something, or understanding a complex subject thoroughly.

1. Measure depthC1formalscientific

   To measure the depth of a body of water, typically with a weighted line.

   sonder la profondeur

   • The sailors plumbed the depth of the river before crossing.
   • They used a long rope to plumb the well.
   • The oceanographer plumbed the trench to record its exact depth.

   Synonymesfathomgaugeprobesound

2. Weight with leadC2formaltechnical

   To weight something with lead, often to make it sink or to stabilize it.

   Plomber (avec du plomb)

   • The fisherman plumbed his net with lead weights.
   • They plumbed the diving bell to ensure it would sink properly.
   • The curtain was plumbed at the bottom to hang straight.

   Synonymesballastleadweight

3. Examine thoroughlyC1formal

   To explore or investigate something in great depth and detail.

   Sonder en profondeur

   • The detective plumbed the depths of the suspect's alibi.
   • She plumbed the archives for any mention of the ancient ritual.
   • The journalist plumbed the complexities of the political scandal.

   Synonymesdelveexplorefathominvestigateprobescrutinizesearchsound

   Antonymesglancescanskim

4. Make verticalC2formaltechnical

   To adjust or align something so that it is perfectly vertical, using a plumb line.

   Mettre d'aplomb

   • The carpenter plumbed the wall before installing the cabinets.
   • He plumbed the post to ensure it was straight.
   • The mason plumbed the brickwork as he built the chimney.

   Synonymesalignerecttrue