plodding (adj.) — poacher (n.)
"diligent and dull, moving or working with slow and patient diligence," 1580s, present-participle adjective from plod (v.). Related: Ploddingly.ETD plodding (adj.).2
"trudge, travel or work slowly and perseveringly; go with steady and laborious diligence," 1560s, of uncertain origin, perhaps imitative of the sound of walking heavily or slowly. Related: Plodded; plodder; plodding.ETD plod (v.).2
1722, "anything with which one amuses oneself, a harmless frolic," Scottish and northern England dialect, possibly a shortened form of employ. Popularized in the sense of "move or gambit made to manipulate others and gain advantage" by British humorist Stephen Potter (1900-1969), who parodied self-help manuals in books such as 1947's "The Theory and Practice of Gamesmanship: Or the Art of Winning Games Without Actually Cheating."ETD ploy (n.).2
"hit or strike with a sound like 'plonk,' " 1874, imitative. By 1941 as "to set or drop (something, oneself) heavily in place." From 1903 as a noun in reference to the sound of one hard thing hitting another (originally in cricket). Related: Plonked; plonking.ETD plonk (v.).2
"to fall or fall into with a sound like 'plop,' " 1821, imitative of the sound of a smooth object dropping into water. Related: Plopped; plopping. Thackary (mid-19c.) used plap (v.). As a noun from 1833.ETD plop (v.).2
"consonantal sound formed by blocking the passage of air and then suddenly releasing it," 1899, from explosive. As an adjective from 1909.ETD plosive (n.).2
late Old English plot "small piece of ground of defined shape," a word of unknown origin. The sense of "ground plan," and thus "map, chart, survey of a field, farm, etc." is from 1550s. Plat is a Middle English collateral form. The meaning "a secret, plan, fully formulated scheme" (usually to accomplish some evil purpose) is from 1580s, probably by accidental similarity to complot, from Old French complot "combined plan" (compare the sense evolution of plan), itself a word of unknown origin, perhaps a back-formation from compeloter "to roll into a ball," from pelote "ball." OED says "The usage probably became widely known in connexion with the 'Gunpowder Plot.' "ETD plot (n.).2
The meaning "set of events in a story, play, novel, etc." is from 1640s. Plot-line (n.) "main features of a story" is attested by 1940; earlier, in theater, "a sentence containing matter essential to the comprehension of the play's story" (1907).ETD plot (n.).3
1580s, "to make a map or diagram of, lay down on paper according to scale;" also "to lay plans for, conspire to effect or bring about" (usually with evil intent), from plot (n.). Intransitive sense of "to form a plan or device" is from c. 1600. Related: Plotted; plotter; plotting.ETD plot (v.).2
alternative spelling of plow (Middle English plouʒ, plouh, ploug). "The accepted spelling in England since 1700" [OED, which also notes that the final guttural began to disappear in 14c. but was retained longer in the north and Scotland]. Related: Ploughed; ploughing.ETD plough.2
c. 1300, "migratory shore-bird of the Old World," from Anglo-French plover, Old French pluvier, earlier plovier (c. 1200), from Vulgar Latin *plovarius, literally "belonging to rain," from Latin pluvia "rain (water)" from pluere "to rain" (from PIE root *pleu- "to flow"). Perhaps it was so called because the birds' migration arrival in Western Europe (it breeds in summer in the Arctic) coincides with the start of the rainy season, or from its supposed restlessness when rain approaches. The name was later extended to related or similar American species.ETD plover (n.).2
"agricultural implement drawn by animals, used to cut ground and turn it up to prepare it for sowing or planting," late Old English ploʒ, ploh "plow; plowland" (a measure of land equal to what a yoke of oxen could plow in a day); in reference to the implement perhaps from a Scandinavian cognate (such as Old Norse plogr "plow;" compare Swedish and Danish plog; Middle English Compendium notes that, "As an element in names, plough is most freq. in the area of the Danelaw"); from Proto-Germanic *plōga- (source also of Old Saxon plog, Old Frisian ploch "plow," Middle Low German ploch, Middle Dutch ploech, Dutch ploeg, Old High German pfluog, German Pflug), a late word in Germanic, of uncertain origin.ETD plow (n.).2
Rare as a word alone in Old English, where the usual word for "plow" (n.) was sulh (later sull), which is cognate with Latin sulcus "furrow" (see sulcus).ETD plow (n.).3
Old Church Slavonic plugu, Lithuanian plūgas "plow" are Germanic loan-words, as probably is Latin plovus, plovum "plow," a word said by Pliny to be of Rhaetian origin. Boutkan argues against that and points out that, "A priori, the initial p- [in a Germanic word] points to a probable non-IE origin." He also notes the unclear etymological connection with Albanian plúar "plow," which "may have the same, apparently Central-European origin as the Gmc. etymon. On the other hand, the word may represent a North-European innovation which would also be found in OIr. dlongid 'split' < *tlong-." For the usual IE "plow" word, see arable.ETD plow (n.).4
The plow and the use of it would have been familiar to most people in England (and later America) from remote antiquity to fairly recent times, and it thus figures largely in image and metaphor; Middle English had (modernized) govern the plow of battles "command an army, wage war;" drive (or hold) the plow "bear burdens; gain the authority;" have weak oxen in the plow "not have energy for the undertaking;" put (one) in pain's plow "force to suffer;" and slightly later plow the sand "labor fruitlessly."ETD plow (n.).5
As a name for the star pattern also known as the Big Dipper or Charles's Wain, it is attested by early 15c., perhaps early 14c., also Arthouris Plowe. The three "handle" stars (in the Dipper configuration) generally are seen as the team of oxen pulling the plow, though sometimes they are the plow's handle.ETD plow (n.).6
"to turn up with or as with a plow," late 14c., plouen, from plow (n.). There is an apparent reference from c. 1200, of fish, perhaps meaning "to make furrows on the surface of the water," but it might be a mistake for play. Transferred sense of "traverse like a plow" is from 1580s. Related: Plowed; plowing.ETD plow (v.).2
also plowboy, "boy who drives or guides a team in plowing," hence, "a rustic boy," 1560s, from plow + boy.ETD plow-boy (n.).2
also plow-man, mid-13c. (early 13c. as a surname), "farmer, farm laborer," hence "one of low social status," from plow + man (n.).ETD plowman (n.).2
"the part of a plow which cuts the ground at the bottom of the furrow and raises the slice to the mold-board to be turned," late 14c., from plow + share (n.2). To beat (one's) swords into plowshares as an image of peace made among peoples formerly at strife is from the Old Testament (Isaiah ii.4, Micah iv.3).ETD plowshare (n.).2
"one who makes and repairs plows," mid-15c., plough-wrighte (mid-13c. as a surname), from plow (n.) + wright (n.).ETD plow-wright (n.).2
1570s, the oral rendering of the arithmetical sign +, also "more by a certain amount" (correlative to minus), from Latin plus "more, in greater number, more often" (comparative of multus "much"), altered (by influence of minus) from *pleos, from PIE root *pele- (1) "to fill" (see poly-). The plus sign itself has been well-known at least since late 15c. and is perhaps an abbreviation of Latin et (see et cetera).ETD plus (n., adj.).2
As a preposition, between two numbers to indicate addition, from 1660s. [Barnhart writes that this sense "did not exist in Latin and probably originated in commercial language of the Middle Ages;" OED writes that "the words plus and minus were used by Leonardo of Pisa in 1202."] Placed after a whole number to indicate "and a little more," it is attested by 1902. As a conjunction, "and, and in addition," it is American English colloquial, attested by 1968. As a noun meaning "an advantage" from 1791. Plus fours "distinctive style of long, wide knickerbockers" (1921) were four inches longer in the leg than standard knickerbockers, to produce an overhang, originally a style associated with golfers.ETD plus (n., adj.).3
word-forming element, Latin -plus "-fold." Watkins derives it from *-plo-, combining form of PIE root *pel- (2) "to fold" and makes it cognate with Old English -feald, Greek -paltos, -plos. But de Vaan connects it to PIE root *pele- (1) that yielded words meaning "much, many, more" and is the source of poly-.ETD -plus.2
Middle English plukken, "pull (something) off or out from a surface" (especially hair or feathers, but also teeth), from late Old English ploccian, pluccian "pull off, cull," from West Germanic *plokken (source also of Middle Low German plucken, Middle Dutch plocken, Dutch plukken, Flemish plokken, German pflücken). This is perhaps from an unrecorded Gallo-Roman or Vulgar Latin *piluccare (source of Old French peluchier, late 12c.; Italian piluccare), a frequentative, ultimately from Latin pilare "pull out hair," from pilus "hair" (see pile (n.3)). But despite the similarities, OED finds difficulties with this and cites gaps in historical evidence. From late 14c. as "to pull sharply with a sudden jerk or force (of the strings of a bow, harp, etc.). Related: Plucked; plucking.ETD pluck (v.).2
This euphemistic use is attested from 1610s. To pluck up "summon up" (courage, heart, etc.) is from c. 1300.ETD pluck (v.).3
c. 1400, plukke, "a pull, a tug, act of plucking," from pluck (v.). Meaning "courage, boldness, determined energy" (1785), originally in pugilism slang, is a figurative use from the earlier meaning "heart, viscera" (1610s) as that which is "plucked" from slaughtered livestock in preparing the carcass for market. This sense also was perhaps influenced by figurative use of the verb in pluck up (one's courage, etc.), attested from c. 1300.ETD pluck (n.).2
1831, colloquial, "spirited, courageous," from pluck (n.) in the "courage" sense + -y (2). Related: Pluckily; pluckiness.ETD plucky (adj.).2
1620s, "piece of wood or other substance, usually in the form of a peg or bottle-cork, used to stop a hole in a vessel," originally a seamen's term, probably from Dutch plug, Middle Dutch plugge "bung, stopper," related to Norwegian plugg, Danish pløg (the Scandinavian words also might be from Low German), North Frisian plaak, Middle Low German pluck, German Pflock; all of uncertain etymology. The Irish and Gaelic words are said to be from English.ETD plug (n.).2
The sense of "wad or stick of tobacco" is attested from 1728, based on resemblance. Meaning "branch pipe from a water main leading to a point closed by a cap where a hose can be easily attached" is by 1727. Electrical sense is from 1883, based on being inserted; meaning "sparking device in an internal combustion engine" is from 1886. Meaning "advertisement" is recorded by 1902, American English, perhaps from verb sense "work energetically at" (c. 1865).ETD plug (n.).3
"close tightly (a hole), fill or stop with or as with a plug," 1620s, from plug (n.) or from Dutch pluggen. OED dates the meaning "work energetically at" from c. 1865, and cites "Remembered on the river at Oxford" (and one wonders if a memory from Cambridge would pass). Sense of "popularize by repetition" is from 1906. Slang sense "put a bullet into" is recorded from 1870. Related: Plugged; plugging.ETD plug (v.).2
"one who or that which plugs" in any sense, 1867, agent noun from plug (v.). Specifically as "publicist" by 1913.ETD plugger (n.).2
"designed to be plugged into a socket," 1922, from the verbal phrase, from plug (v.) + in (adv.).ETD plug-in (adj.).2
"city ruffian, one of a gang who assaulted people and property in mid-19th century American cities," 1856, originally in Baltimore, from plug (n.), the American English slang name for the tall, silk stovepipe hats then popular among young men, + ugly. Sometimes as the name of a specific gang, but often generic.ETD plug-ugly (n.).2
"fruit of the genus Prunus," Middle English ploume, from Old English plume "plum, plum tree," from an early Germanic borrowing (Middle Dutch prume, Dutch pruim, Old High German pfluma, pfruma, German Pflaume) from Vulgar Latin *pruna, from Latin prunum "plum," from Greek prounon, a later form of proumnon, a word of unknown origin, which is probably, like the tree itself, of Anatolian origin. Also see prune (n.). The change of pr- to pl- is peculiar to some Germanic languages. The vowel shortened in early modern English. Meaning "something desirable, the best or choicest part" is first recorded 1780, probably in reference to the sugar-rich bits of a plum pudding, etc.ETD plum (n.).2
late 14c., "the feathery covering of birds; feathers collectively," from Old French plumage "plumage, appearance" (14c.), from plume (see plume (n.)). Related: Plumaged.ETD plumage (n.).2
"dealer in ornamental feathers, one who prepares plumes for ornamental purposes," 1590s, from French plumassier, from plumasse "plume of feather," from plume (see plume (n.)). Earlier was plumer "dealer in feathers" (late 13c.).ETD plumassier (n.).2
late 14c., plumben, "to sink" (like lead); mid-15c., "weight (a fishing line)," from plumb (n.). Meaning "take soundings with a plumb" is recorded from 1560s; the figurative sense of "to get to the bottom of" is from 1590s. The meaning "to work as a plumber" is by 1889. Related: Plumbed; plumbing.ETD plumb (v.).2
mid-15c., "the weighting of a fishing line," verbal noun from plumb (v.). In early Modern English "the art of casting and working in lead." Specific meaning "water and drainage pipes and other apparatus used for conveying water through a building" is recorded by 1875, American English.ETD plumbing (n.).2
Alternative plumbery for "lead-work" (also "a building in which lead-work is done") also is mid-15c. The slang meaning "a person's reproductive organs" is attested by 1975.ETD plumbing (n.).3
early 14c., "a mass of lead hung on a string to show the vertical line" (mid-14c. as "the metal lead"), from Old French *plombe, plomee "sounding lead," and directly from Late Latin *plumba, originally plural of Latin plumbum "lead (the metal), lead ball; pipe; pencil," a word of unknown origin; Beekes and de Vaan say it probably is unrelated to Greek molybdos "lead" (dialectal bolimos). It is perhaps a loan-word from an extinct language of the western Mediterranean (based on similarities of words in Berber and Basque). The -b was restored in English after c. 1400. Plumb-rule is attested from c. 1400.ETD plumb (n.).2
"perpendicular, vertical, true according to a plumb-line," mid-15c., plom, from plumb (n.). As an adverb, "in a vertical direction, straight down," c. 1400. The notion of "exact measurement" led to the extended adverbial sense of "completely, downright" (1748), sometimes spelled plump, plum, or plunk.ETD plumb (adj.).2
"graphite," 1784, from Latin plumbago "a type of lead ore, black lead," from plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)); it translates Greek molybdaina, which was used of yellow lead oxide and also of a type of plant (leadwort). Attested in English in the yellow oxide sense from 1610s; as a type of plant from 1747. Related: Plumbaginous.ETD plumbago (n.).2
"conoid-shaped metal weight attached to the end of a plumb-line," 1835, from plumb (n.) + bob (n.1).ETD plumb-bob (n.).2
"leaden, heavy," 1620s, from Latin plumbeus "of or belonging to lead," from plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)).ETD plumbeous (adj.).2
late 14c. (from c. 1100 as a surname), "a worker in any sort of lead" (roofs, gutters, pipes), from Old French plomier "lead-smelter" (Modern French plombier) and directly from Latin plumbarius "worker in lead," noun use of adjective meaning "pertaining to lead," from plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)). The meaning focused 19c. on "workman who installs pipes and fittings" as lead pipes for conveying water and gas became the principal concern of the trade.ETD plumber (n.).2
In U.S. history, in the Nixon administration (1969-74), it was the name of a special unit for investigation of "leaks" of government secrets.ETD plumber (n.).3
"derived from lead, combined with lead," 1799, from Latin plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)) + -ic.ETD plumbic (adj.).2
"a cord or line with a metal bob attached to one end, used to determine vertical direction," mid-15c., from plumb (n.) + line (n.).ETD plumb-line (n.).2
word-forming element meaning "lead" (the metal), from combining form of Latin plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)).ETD plumbo-.2
1680s, "leaden;" 1854 in the chemistry sense of "containing lead" (especially in a low valence), from Latin plumbosus "full of lead," from plumbum (see plumb (n.)).ETD plumbous (adj.).2
late 14c., "a feather" (especially a large and conspicuous one), from Old French plume "soft feather, down; feather bed," and directly from Latin pluma "a small soft feather, down; the first beard," from PIE root *pleus- "to pluck; a feather, fleece" (source of Old English fleos "fleece"). Meaning "a long streamer of smoke, etc." is attested from 1878.ETD plume (n.).2
late 14c., "to pluck, strip," from plume (n.). From mid-15c. as "to adorn with plumes." Meaning "to dress the feathers" is from 1702. Related: Plumed; pluming.ETD plume (v.).2
"adorned with plumes," mid-15c., past-participle adjective from plume (v.).ETD plumed (adj.).2
late 14c., "ball of lead, plumb of a bob-line," from Old French plomet "graphite, lead; plummet, sounding lead," diminutive of plom "sounding lead" (see plumb (n.)).ETD plummet (n.).2
1620s, "to fathom, take soundings," from plummet (n.). Meaning "to fall rapidly" is recorded from 1933, perhaps originally among aviators. Middle English plumben (see plumb (v.)) also meant "to plunge downward." Related: Plummeted; plummeting.ETD plummet (v.).2
1530s, "to become plump," from plump (adj.). Transitive meaning "to plump (something) up, to cause to swell" is from 1530s. Related: Plumped; plumping.ETD plump (v.2).2
late 15c., "blunt, dull" (in manners), from Dutch plomp "blunt, thick, massive, stumpy," probably related to plompen "fall or drop heavily" (see plump (v.)). Meaning "full and well-rounded," of a person, "fleshy, chubby," is from 1540s in English. Danish and Swedish plump "rude, coarse, clumsy" are from the Low German word and represent a different sense development. Middle English plump (n.) "a compact group of people, a crowd" (c. 1400) perhaps is from Middle Dutch as well.ETD plump (adj.).2
c. 1300, "to fall (into water) or strike with a full impact," a common Low German word, from or related to Middle Dutch and Dutch plompen, East Frisian plumpen, Middle Low German plumpen, probably more or less imitative of something hard striking something soft. Perhaps influenced by or merged with Middle English plumben "immerse (in liquid)," late 14c., from plumb (n.) in the "weight" sense. Hence plump (n.) "a firm blow," in pugilism usually one to the belly.ETD plump (v.1).2
As an adverb, "at once," as in a sudden fall, from 1590s.ETD plump (v.1).3
"state or quality of being fleshy and round," 1540s, from plump (adj.) + -ness.ETD plumpness (n.).2
"take goods or valuable forcibly from, take by pillage or open force," 1630s, from German plündern, from Middle High German plunderen "to plunder," originally "to take away household furniture," from plunder (n.) "household goods, clothes," also "lumber, baggage" (14c.; compare Modern German Plunder "lumber, trash"), which is related to Middle Dutch plunder "household goods;" Frisian and Dutch plunje "clothes."ETD plunder (v.).2
A word said to have been acquired by neighboring languages from German during the Thirty Years' War, "in which many foreign mercenaries were engaged, and much plundering was done" [Century Dictionary]. Applied in native use after the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642. Related: Plundered; plundering.ETD plunder (v.).3
Plunderbund was a U.S. colloquial word from 1914 referring to "a corrupt alliance of corporate and financial interests," with German Bund "alliance, league" and likely based on German Sonderbund "special league," a word made widely known by Swiss history.ETD plunder (v.).4
"goods taken from an enemy by force; act or action of plundering," 1640s, from plunder (v.).ETD plunder (n.).2
c. 1400, "a deep pool," from plunge (v.). From late 15c. as "a sudden pitch forward;" meaning "act of plunging, a sudden immersion in something" is from 1711. Figurative use in take the plunge "act decisively, commit oneself" is by 1823, from an earlier noun sense of "point of being in trouble or danger, immersion in difficulty or distress" (1530s); the exact phrase might owe its popularity to its appearance in "The Vicar of Wakefield" (1766), which everybody read:ETD plunge (n.).2
late 14c., plungen, "to put, throw, or thrust violently into; immerse, submerge," also intransitive, from Old French plongier "plunge, sink into; plunge into, dive in" (mid-12c., Modern French plonger), from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare "to heave the lead," from Latin plumbum "lead" (see plumb (n.)). Original notion perhaps is of a sounding lead or a fishing net weighted with lead. Figurative sense of "cast into some state or condition" (despair, etc.) is from late 14c. Related: Plunged; plunging. Plunging neckline in women's fashion is attested from 1949.ETD plunge (v.).2
1610s, "one who plunges," agent noun from plunge (v.). Used of various mechanisms (for example the dasher of a churn) by 1777; as "device used by a plumber to clear blocked pipes," by 1936.ETD plunger (n.).2
1805, "pluck a stringed instrument;" 1808 in the sense of "drop down abruptly;" by 1888 as "to hit, wound, shoot." Probably it is of independent imitative origin in each case. Related: Plunked; plunking.ETD plunk (v.).2
"noting the time of an action occurring prior to another specified time," c. 1500, pluperfyth, shortened from Latin (tempus praeteritum) plus (quam) perfectum "(past tense) more (than) perfect." This translates Greek khronos hypersyntelikos. See plus and perfect (adj.). In grammar, denoting the pluperfect tense of a verb, as Latin amaveram, English "I had loved."ETD pluperfect (adj.).2
late 14c., originally in grammar (distinguished from singular), "containing or consisting of more than one," from Old French plurel "more than one" (12c., Modern French pluriel) and directly from Latin pluralis "of or belonging to more than one," from plus (genitive pluris) "more" (see plus). The noun meaning "a plural number" is from late 14c.ETD plural (adj.).2
1818, as a term in church administration, "the holding by one person of two or more offices at the same time," from plural + -ism. Attested from 1882 as a term in philosophy for a theory which recognizes more than one ultimate principle. In political science, attested from 1919 (in Harold J. Laski) in the sense of "theory which opposes monolithic state power." General sense of "toleration of diversity within a society or state" is from 1933. Related: Pluralist (1620s, in the church sense); pluralistic.ETD pluralism (n.).2
late 14c., pluralite, "state of being more than one; a number greater than one," from Old French pluralite (14c.), from Late Latin pluralitatem (nominative pluralitas) "the plural number," from Latin pluralis "of or belonging to more than one" (see plural). Meaning "fact of there being many, multitude" is from mid-15c. Church sense of "holding of two or more offices concurrently" is from mid-14c. Meaning "greater number, more than half" is from 1570s but is etymologically improper, perhaps modeled on majority. U.S. sense of "excess of votes for the candidate who receives the most over those of rival candidate(s)," especially when none has an absolute majority, is from 1828.ETD plurality (n.).2
word-forming element meaning "more than one, several, many," from Latin pluri-, from stem of plus (genitive pluris); see plus.ETD pluri-.2
"capable of developing in any of various directions," 1925, from pluri- + potential. Related: Pluripotent; pluripotency.ETD pluripotential (adj.).2
phrase expressing the fundamental immutability of life, human situations, etc., 1903, French, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose (1849), literally "the more it changes, the more it stays the same."ETD plus ca change.2
1620s, "made or consisting of plush," from plush (n.). The meaning "swanky, luxurious" is by 1927. Plushy in this sense is recorded from 1923; plushie (n.) "soft toy" is by 2003. Related: Plushly; plushness.ETD plush (adj.).2
"soft fabric, cloth having a softer and longer nap than that of velvet," 1590s, from French pluche "shag, plush," contraction of peluche "hairy fabric," from Old French peluchier "to pull, to tug, to pluck" (the final process in weaving plush), from Vulgar Latin *piluccare "remove hair" (see pluck (v.)). Related: Plushy; plushness.ETD plush (n.).2
"plutocracy," 1640s, from Greek ploutos "wealth" (see Pluto) + -archy "rule" on model of monarchy, etc.ETD plutarchy (n.).2
Roman god of the underworld, early 14c., from Latin Pluto, Pluton, from Greek Ploutōn "god of wealth," from ploutos "wealth, riches," probably originally "overflowing," from PIE root *pleu- "to flow." The alternative Greek name or epithet of Hades in his function as the god of wealth (precious metals and gems, coming from beneath the earth, form part of his realm). The planet (since downgraded) was discovered 1930 by U.S. astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh; Minerva also was suggested as a name for it. The cartoon dog first appeared in Walt Disney's "Moose Hunt," released April 1931.ETD Pluto (n.).2
"government by the wealthy class; a class ruling by virtue of wealth," 1650s, from Greek ploutokratia "rule or power of the wealthy or of wealth," from ploutos "wealth" (see Pluto) + -kratia "rule" (see -cracy). Synonym plutarchy is slightly older (1640s). Pluto-democracy "plutocracy masquerading as democracy" is from 1895.ETD plutocracy (n.).2
"person who rules or sways a community or society by virtue of his wealth; person possessing power or influence solely or mainly on account of his riches," 1838, a back-formation from plutocracy. Related: Plutocratic (1843); plutocratical (1833).ETD plutocrat (n.).2
"spokesman for plutocrats, one who justifies the interests of the wealthy," 1894, from Greek ploutos "wealth" (see Pluto) + ending from demagogue.ETD plutogogue (n.).2
"worship of wealth," 1875, from Greek ploutos "wealth" (see Pluto) + -latry "worship of." Related: Plutolater.ETD plutolatry (n.).2
1650s, "mad pursuit of wealth," from Greek ploutos "wealth" (see Pluto) + mania. As a form of insanity, "imaginary possession of wealth," from 1894. Related: Plutomaniac.ETD plutomania (n.).2
"pertaining to or involving intense heat deep in the earth's crust," 1796, coined by Irish scientist Richard Kirwin (1733-1812) from combining form of Pluto (as god of the underworld) + -ic. Especially in reference to early 19c. geological theory (championed by Hutton) that attributed most of the present features of the earth's crust to action of internal heat, a theory which triumphed over its rival, neptunism, which attributed them to water. Related: Plutonism; Plutonist.ETD plutonic (adj.).2
in geology, "large, intrusive body of igneous rock formed beneath the earth's surface," 1936, Modern Latin, from the geological sense of plutonic (q.v.).ETD pluton (n.).2
1660s, "pertaining to the god Pluto," from Latin Plutonius, from Greek Ploutōnius, from Ploutōn "pertaining to Pluto" (see Pluto). Geological sense is from 1828 (see plutonic). Planetary sense by 1952.ETD Plutonian (adj.).2
transuranic metallic element, 1942, from Pluto, the planet, + element ending -ium. Discovered at University of California, Berkeley, in 1941, the element was named on suggestion of Seaborg and Wahl because it follows neptunium in the periodic table as Pluto follows (or followed) Neptune in the Solar System. The name plutonium earlier had been proposed for barium and was used sometimes in this sense early 19c.ETD plutonium (n.).2
"of or pertaining to the science or study of wealth or riches," 1853, from Greek ploutos "wealth" (see Pluto) + ending from economic. Fell from currency 1870s, revived 1990s. Related: Plutonomy (1851); plutonomics (1991, a 19c. word for "the science of wealth and the natural laws governing its production and distribution" was plutology); plutonomist (1869).ETD plutonomic (adj.).2
1650s, "pertaining to rain," from French pluvial (12c.), from Latin pluvialis "of or pertaining to rain, rainy, rain-bringing," from (aqua) pluvia "rain (water)," from fem. of pluvius "rainy," from plovere "to rain," from PIE root *pleu- "to flow." Middle English pluvious "rainy" is attested from mid-15c., from Latin pluviosus. In geology, "depending on or arising from the action of rain," by 1859.ETD pluvial (adj.).2
"a layer, a fold," 1530s, from French pli "a fold" (13c.), alteration of Old French ploi "fold, pleat, layer" (12c.), verbal noun from ployer (later pleier) "to bend, to fold," from Latin plicare "to fold, lay" (from PIE root *plek- "to plait"). Often used to indicate the number of thicknesses of which anything is made; this also is the ply in plywood.ETD ply (n.).2
"to bend, yield," late 14c., plien, from Old French plier, earlier pleier "to fold, bend," from Latin plicare "to lay, fold, twist" (from PIE root *plek- "to plait"). Related: Plied; plies; plying.ETD ply (v.2).2
"work with, practice with persistence, use or employ diligently," late 14c., shortened form of applien "join to, apply" (see apply). The core of this is Latin plicare "to lay, fold, twist," from Proto-Italic *plekt-, from PIE root *plek- "to plait." The sense of "travel regularly, go back and forth over the same course" is attested from 1803, perhaps from earlier sense "steer a course" (1550s). Related: Plied; plies; plying.ETD ply (v.1).2
city in Devon, England, named for its location at the mouth of the Plym River; the river is in turn named for Plympton, literally "plum-tree farm." Earlier Plymouth was known as Sutton Prior. The town in Massachusetts, U.S., was named 1620 by immigrants on the "Mayflower," which had sailed from Plymouth, England, and landed at what became known as Plymouth Rock; Plymouth Rock as the name of a large variety of domestic hen, originally bred in the U.S., is by 1873.ETD Plymouth.2
"board made of two or more thin layers of wood bonded together and arranged so that the grain of one runs at right angles to that of the next," 1907, from ply (n.) + wood (n.).ETD plywood (n.).2
abbreviation of Latin post meridiem "after noon," attested from 1660s.ETD p.m..2
consonant sound in some English words derived from Greek. The p- typically is silent in English but pronounced in French, German, Spanish, etc.ETD pn-.2
a word used in English in various sense from late 19c. ("breath;" "spirit;" "soul;" "a breathing;" also as a technical term), from Greek pneuma "a blowing, a wind, blast; breeze; influence; breathed air, breath; odor, scent; spirit of a person; inspiration, a spirit, ghost," from pnein "to blow, to breathe," from PIE root *pneu- "to breathe," of imitative origin (compare Greek pnoe "breath," pnoia "breathing;" Old English fnora "sneezing," fnæran "to snort").ETD pneuma (n.).2
"the branch of physics which treats of the mechanical properties of gases, especially of atmospheric air," 1650s, from pneumatic. Also see -ics.ETD pneumatics (n.).2
"moved or played by means of air; of or pertaining to air or gases," 1650s, from Latin pneumaticus "of the wind, belonging to the air," from Greek pneumatikos "of wind or air" (which is attested mainly as "of spirit, spiritual"), from pneuma (genitive pneumatos) "the wind," also "breath" (see pneuma). Earlier was pneumatical (c. 1600). The pneumatic-dispatch tube was so called by 1859 (in Paris, pneumatique).ETD pneumatic (adj.).2
before vowels pneumat-, word-forming element meaning "wind, air, spirit, presence of air," from Greek pneuma (genitive pneumatos) "the wind," also "breath" (see pneuma).ETD pneumato-.2
before vowels pneum-, word-forming element meaning "lung," from Greek pneumōn "lung," altered (probably by influence of pnein "to breathe") from pleumōn (which was an alternative form in Attic), literally "floater," probably cognate with Latin pulmo "lung(s)," from PIE root *pleu- "to flow." The notion perhaps is from the fact that, when thrown into a pot of water, lungs of a slaughtered animal float, while the heart, liver, etc., do not (compare Middle English lights "the lungs," literally "the light (in weight) organs"). Greek pneumōn also meant "jellyfish, medusa," "perhaps from its rhythmical pulsation, as if breathing" [Thompson].ETD pneumo-.2
1670s, "pertaining to the lungs," from Latin pneumonicus, from Greek pneumonikos "of the lungs," from pneumōn "lung" (see pneumo-). From 1783 as "pertaining to pneumonia."ETD pneumonic (adj.).2
"inflammation of the tissues of the lungs" (as distinct from the bronchial tubes or the serous covering of the lungs), c. 1600, from Modern Latin, from Greek pneumonia "inflammation of the lungs," from pneumōn "lung" (see pneumo-).ETD pneumonia (n.).2
before vowels pneumon-, word-forming element meaning "lung," from Greek pneumon (genitive pneumonos "lung" (see pneumo-).ETD pneumono-.2
1962, "A facetious word alleged to mean 'a lung disease caused by the inhalation of very fine silica dust' but occurring chiefly as an instance of a very long word" [OED]. Said in an early reference to have been invented by seventh grade students in Norfolk, Virginia.ETD pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (n.).2
"presence of air in the pleural cavity," 1821, from French pneumothorax (1803), coined by French physician Jean Marc Gaspard Itard (1774-1838) from Greek pneumon "lung" (see pneumo-) + thorax.ETD pneumothorax (n.).2
public place of assembly in ancient Athens, where the people met for the discussion of political affairs of the state, from Greek pnyx, which is probably from pyknos "dense, solid; numerous; packed, crowded," a word of uncertain origin.ETD pnyx (n.).2
large river in northern Italy, from Latin Padus, a name of Celtic origin.ETD Po.2
"cook in boiling liquid," mid-15c. (implied in pocched egges), from Old French poché, past participle of pochier (12c.), apparently literally "put into a pocket" (perhaps as the white of an egg forms a pocket for the yolk), from poche "bag, pocket," from Frankish *pokka "bag," from Proto-Germanic *puk- (see poke (n.1)). But connection to poke (v.) via the notion of a "broken" (shell-less) egg also has been proposed.ETD poach (v.2).2
Pochee as a noun in reference to a way of preparing eggs is attested in a late 14c. cookery book, and eyron en poche for "poached eggs" is attested from early 15c. Related: Poaching.ETD poach (v.2).3
of eggs, "cooked in boiling water," mid-15c., pocched, past-participle adjective from poach (v.2).ETD poached (adj.).2
"steal game," 1520s, "to push, poke," from French pocher "to thrust, poke," from Old French pochier "poke out, gouge, prod, jab," from a Germanic source (compare Middle High German puchen "to pound, beat, knock," German pochen, Middle Dutch boken "to beat") related to poke (v.). Sense of "trespass upon another's preserves for the sake of stealing game; kill and carry off game in violation of the law" is attested from 1610s, perhaps via the notion of "thrusting" oneself onto another's property, or perhaps from French pocher "to pocket" (the property of another); see poach (v.2). Related: Poached; poaching.ETD poach (v.1).2
1660s, "one who poaches game, one who intrudes on the preserves of another for the purpose of killing game unlawfully," agent noun from poach (v.1). Attested from 1846 as "vessel for poaching eggs," from poach (v.2).ETD poacher (n.).2