Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PLUME, v.t.

1. To pick and adjust plumes or feathers. Swans must be kept in some inclosed pond, where they may have room to come on shore and plume themselves. – Mortimer.
2. To strip of feathers. Carnivorous animals will not take pains to plume the birds they devour.
3. To strip; to peel. – Bacon.
4. To set as a plume; to set erect. His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest / Sat honor plum'd. – Milton.
5. To adorn with feathers or plumes. Shak.
6. To pride; to value; to boast. He plumes himself on his skill or his prowess.