n. Plump-breasted wading bird, e.g. The lapwing. [latin pluvia rain]

adj. (-ier, -iest) brave, spirited. pluckily adv. Pluckiness n.

attrib. Adj. Designed to be plugged into a socket.

adj. (-ier, -iest) 1 abounding or rich in plums.

- colloq. (of a voice) sounding affectedly rich in tone.

- colloq. Good, desirable.

—v. (-ging) 1 (usu. Foll. By in, into) a thrust forcefully or abruptly. B dive. C (cause to) enter a condition or embark on a course impetuously (they plunged into marriage; the room was plunged into darkness).

- immerse completely.

- a move suddenly and dramatically downward. B (foll. By down, into, etc.) Move with a rush (plunged down the stairs).

- colloq. Run up gambling debts. —n. Plunging action or movement; dive. take the plunge colloq. Take a decisive step. [romanic: related to *plumb]

—adj. - more than one in number.

- gram. (of a word or form) denoting more than one. —n. Gram. - plural word or form.

- plural number. [latin: related to *plus]

adj. (-ier, -iest) colloq. Stylish, luxurious. plushiness n.

knife n. = *penknife.

- money n. Money for minor expenses, esp. Given to children.

- —n. - small bag sewn into or on clothing, for carrying small articles.

- pouchlike compartment in a suitcase, car door, etc.

- one's financial resources (beyond my pocket).

- isolated group or area (pockets of resistance).

- cavity in the earth containing ore, esp. Gold.

- pouch at the corner or on the side of a billiard- or snooker-table into which balls are driven.

- = *air pocket.

- (attrib.) A small enough or intended for carrying in a pocket.

n. (pl. -s or podia) rostrum. [greek podion diminutive of pous pod- foot]

adj. (also poetical) of or like poetry or poets. poetically adv.

- justice n. Very appropriate punishment or reward.

- licence n. Writer's or artist's transgression of established rules for effect.