plume

Where does the word "plume" come from? It comes from Latin pluma, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Plume’s story begins in Latin: pluma meant “soft feather, down.” The root of 'plumage'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as plume. Feathers worn in helmets and hats. It reached English by 1300s as plume. 'plume' of smoke dates from the 1800s. Today, plume means a long soft feather; a rising column of smoke.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pluma "soft feather, down", the root of 'plumage'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval plume "feather", feathers worn in helmets and hats.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s plume "feather", 'plume' of smoke dates from the 1800s.