pluma

Latin > English (Lewis & Short)

plūma: ae, f.,
I a small, soft feather; in <number opt="n">plur.</number>, fine, soft feathers, down.
I Lit. (clas.; syn. penna): (animantium) pluma alias, alias squamā videmus obductas, Cic. N. D. 2, 47, 121: plumae versicolores, id. Fin. 3, 5, 18: mollis, Verg. A. 10, 192: in plumis delituisse Jovem, i. e. in the form of a swan, Ov. H. 8, 68.—They were used esp. for stuffing pillows and the beds of litters: dormit in plumā, Mart. 12, 17, 8: pensilibus plumis vehi, i. e. in litters, Juv. 1, 159: in plumā paternā dormire, id. 6, 88. —Also in clothing: non avium plumae in usum vestium conseruntur? Sen. Ep. 90, 14.—As an image of lightness, triviality, insignificance, like feather with us: homo levior quam pluma, Plaut. Men. 2, 3, 23: levior plumā est gratia, id. Poen. 3, 6, 17: ipsi plumā aut folio facilius moventur, Cic. Att. 8, 15, 2: pluma haud interest, patronus, an cliens probior siet, there is not a pin to choose, Plaut. Most. 2, 1, 60.—
II Transf.
   A Of the first beard, down (poet.): insperata tuae cum veniet pluma superbiae, Hor. C. 4, 10, 2.—
   B The scales on a coat of mail, Stat. Th. 11, 542; cf.: equus, quem pellis aënis In plumam squamis auro conserta tegebat, i. e. scales of brass overlaid on a skin, Verg. A. 11, 771 Serv. and Heyn. ad loc.: equis operimenta erant, quae lintea ferreis laminis in modum plumae adnexuerant, Sall. H. 4, 59 Dietsch.