Etymology Map
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Plume

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a long soft feather; a rising column of smoke

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

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

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.