What are the Origins of word plumb?

The word "plumb" has a fascinating history, stemming from the Latin word "plumbum", meaning "lead". Here's a breakdown of its evolution:

1. Lead as a Material:

* Romans used lead for various purposes, including making plumb bobs, which were weights suspended on a string to establish verticality.

* This practice led to the use of "plumb" to describe anything perfectly vertical or perpendicular.

2. From Material to Action:

* The association of "plumb" with verticality extended to the act of making something vertical or perpendicular. This could involve adjusting or leveling objects.

3. Expansion of Meaning:

* Over time, the word "plumb" evolved to encompass more general meanings related to depth, accuracy, and thoroughness. This is why we see "plumb" used in expressions like "to plumb the depths" or "to plumb the meaning" of something.

Here's a summary of the origins and meaning progression:

* Latin "plumbum" (lead) -> Plumb bob (weight used for verticality) -> To plumb (to make something vertical) -> Plumb (relating to verticality, depth, accuracy, thoroughness)

So, while the word "plumb" might not directly relate to lead anymore, its origins can be traced back to the Roman use of lead in construction and measurement.