plume

A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one used as a decoration.

Near-synonym: aigrette

Under a Coronet his flowing haire / In curles on either cheek plaid, wings he wore / Of many a colourd plume ſprinkl'd with Gold, / His habit fit for ſpeed ſuccinct, and held / Before his decent ſteps a Silver wand.

A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet; a hackle.

Near-synonym: aigrette

The fearful infant turn'd his head away, / And on his nurſe's neck reclining lay, / His unknown father ſhunning with affright, / And looking back on ſo uncouth a ſight; / Daunted to ſee a face with ſteel o'er-ſpread, / And his high plume that nodded o'er his head.

A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides oneself; a prize or reward.

But well thou comſt / Before thy fellows, ambitious to win / From me ſom Plume, that thy ſucceſs may ſhow / Deſtruction to the reſt: [...]

The vane (“flattened, web-like part”) of a feather, especially when on a quill pen or the fletching of an arrow.

Ellipsis of plume moth (“a small, slender moth of the family Pterophoridae”).

To adorn, cover, or furnish with feathers or plumes, or as if with feathers or plumes.

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.

I bless thee that thy angel-presence still infolds me here! / Forgive me, ere thy spirit plumest for the heavenly sphere.

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.

pride and plume himself in his Deformities

To strip (a bird) of feathers; to pluck.

the king cared not to plume his nobility

They wou'd have plum'd his eagles on the field

To strip (a bird) of feathers; to pluck.

A surname