Plomb

Fr. literally means lead. It is sometimes used in a military sense, to signify musquet shot, . A Plomb , Fr. The perpendicular position of any body or substance. Une muraille est à plomb. A wall built in a straight perpendicular direction. Donner à plomb , Fr. To fall vertically, as the rays of the sun do in certain latitudes Etre à plomb , Fr. To stand upright. Marcher à plomb , Fr. To march with a firm, steady pace. This word is sometimes used as a substantive, viz. Perdre son a plomb. To lose one’s balance. Manquer d’a plomb , Fr. To be unsteady.