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Wisp vs Plume - What's the difference?

wisp | plume |

As nouns the difference between wisp and plume

is that wisp is a small bundle, as of straw or other like substance; any slender, flexible structure or group while plume is a feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one.

As verbs the difference between wisp and plume

is that wisp is to brush or dress, as with a wisp while plume is to preen and arrange the feathers of.

wisp

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A small bundle, as of straw or other like substance; any slender, flexible structure or group.
    • A wisp of smoke rose from the candle for a few moments after he blew it out.
    A wisp of hair escaped her barrette and whipped wildly in the wind.
  • * Dryden
    • in a small basket, on a wisp of hay
  • A whisk, or small broom.
  • A will o' the wisp, or ignis fatuus.
  • * Tennyson
    • the wisp that flickers where no foot can tread

    Derived terms

    * will o' the wisp

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To brush or dress, as with a wisp.
  • (UK, dialect) To rumple.
    • (Halliwell)

    plume

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A feather of a bird, especially a large or showy one.
  • * Milton
    • wings of many a coloured plume
  • The furry tail of certain dog breeds (e.g. Samoyed, Malteagle) that stands erect or curls over their backs.
  • A cluster of feathers worn as an ornament, especially on a helmet.
  • * Dryden
    • his high plume , that nodded o'er his head
  • A token of honour or prowess; that on which one prides himself; a prize or reward.
  • * Milton
    • ambitious to win from me some plume
  • An upward spray of water or mist.
  • (geology) An upwelling of molten material from the Earth's mantle.
  • (astronomy) An arc of glowing material erupting from the surface of a star.
  • A large and flexible panicle of inflorescence resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large ornamental grasses.

    • Derived terms

    * plume grass * plume moth * plume nutmeg

    Verb

    (plum)
  • To preen and arrange the feathers of.
  • * Washington Irving
    • pluming her wings among the breezy bowers
  • To congratulate (oneself) proudly.
    • He plumes himself on his skill.
    (South)
  • To strip of feathers; to pluck; to strip; to pillage; also, to peel.
    • (Francis Bacon)
    (Dryden)
  • To adorn with feathers or plumes.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Farewell the plumed troop.
  • To form a plume.
    • Smoke plumed from his pipe then slowly settled towards the floor.
  • To write; to pen.
  • *
    • We mention this observation, not with any view of pretending to account for so odd a behaviour, but lest some critic should hereafter plume himself on discovering it.