verb

pluck

PLUK/plʌk/

To pull something sharply with the fingers.

A hand plucks a ripe cherry from its branch.

Hand quickly plucks one ripe cherry from branch, stalk just separating.

Etymology

Old English pluccian already meant pulling something off, especially hair or feathers. The later sense of pulling with a sudden jerk supplies the quick, sharp action in today's meaning.

In context

Rotten Tomatoes TV9:01

… his brother has to come down into the afterlife and pluck him [music] out and heal him.

Sam Witwer & Dave Filoni on Becoming 'Star Wars: Maul -- Shadow Lord'

More examples

She plucks a stray hair from her sleeve.
He plucks the guitar strings with his fingertips.
I pluck a few basil leaves for the sauce.

Forms

pluck · plucks · plucked · plucking

Similar words

pick: Pick emphasizes selecting and removing, especially fruit or flowers.
pull: Pull describes drawing something toward you, not necessarily sharply.
tug: Tug emphasizes a short, forceful pull without necessarily removing anything.