noun
plummet
A weight hung from a line to check vertical alignment or measure depth.
The builder hangs a plummet beside the wall to check its alignment.
Etymology
The French word names a small piece of lead used as a weight. English preserves its use for checking a vertical line or sounding depth.
More examples
- The plummet pulls the line straight downward.
- He lowers the plummet into the water to measure its depth.
- The old tool kit contains a small brass plummet.
Forms
plummet · plummets
Similar words
- plumb bob
- The usual term when the weight checks a vertical line.
- sounding weight
- A sounding weight measures water depth; plummet also names a weight used for vertical alignment.