plumate
|plu-mate|
/ˈpluːmeɪt/
feathered; plume-like
Etymology
'plumate' originates from Latin, specifically the past-participle adjective 'plumatus', derived from 'pluma', where 'pluma' meant 'feather'.
'plumatus' in Neo-Latin/Latin was used to mean 'feathered'; this formed the basis for English technical/adjectival use 'plumate' via New Latin borrowings into scientific English.
Initially it meant 'feathered' in Latin; in English it has retained the core sense of 'having or bearing plumes' and is used chiefly in biological descriptions.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to furnish or equip with plumes; to make feathered (rare, chiefly technical or descriptive).
The illustrator plumated the specimen in the drawing to show its feather patterns.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/20 00:50