pluming

Verb

plume (third-person singular simple present plumes, present participle pluming, simple past and past participle plumed)

1. (also, figuratively, transitive) To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.

   Synonyms:

   feather, fledge

2. (reflexive, transitive) Chiefly of a bird: to arrange and preen the feathers of, specifically in preparation for flight; hence (figurative), to prepare for (something).
   • I make no doubt she has made the best of her way back to the hospitable hall of Sir Watkyn Williams Wynne; and may very possibly be pluming her wings, at this present writing, among the breezy bowers of Wynnstay.1822 May 21, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “Hawking”, in Bracebridge Hall, or The Humourists. A Medley. […], volume I, New York, N.Y.: […] C. S. Van Winkle, […], →OCLC, page 185
3. (broadly, reflexive, transitive) To congratulate (oneself) proudly, especially concerning something unimportant or when taking credit for another person's effort; to self-congratulate; to preen.
   • He plumes himself on his skill.
4. (archaic, transitive) To strip (a bird) of feathers; to pluck.
   • the king cared not to plume his nobility1622, Francis, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban [i.e. Francis Bacon], The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh, […], London: […] W[illiam] Stansby for Matthew Lownes, and William Barret...

   Synonyms:

   unplume

   1. (archaic, broadly, transitive) To peel, to strip completely; to pillage; also, to deprive of power.
   2. (archaic, obsolete, transitive) Of a hawk: to pluck the feathers from prey.
      • The hauke proineth when ſhe fetcheth oyle with her beake over the taile, and anointeth her feet and her fethers. She plumeth when ſhe pulleth fethers of anie foule and caſteth them from her.1793, Samuel Johnson, George Steevens, “King Henry IV. Part I.”, in William Shakespeare, The Plays of William Shakespeare: […], volume VIII, London: […] T[homas] Longman, […], →OCLC, act I, scene i...

See all 19 meanings of plume