26984 words

pluck

11 definitions • 13 examples
1
to pull something, especially with a sudden movement, in order to remove it:

Examples:

Caged birds sometimes pluck out their breast feathers.
He plucked the letter from/out of my hand, and ran off with it.
Do you pluck your eyebrows (= remove some of the hairs from them to give them a better shape)?
2
to remove the feathers from a chicken or other bird so that it can be cooked and eaten
3
to remove someone suddenly from a situation that is ordinary:

Examples:

He was plucked from obscurity to star in the film.
4
to remove someone quickly from a dangerous or difficult situation:

Examples:

The last passengers were plucked from the ship just seconds before it sank.
5
to collect flowers by breaking or cutting their stems; pick
6
to pull and then release the strings of a musical instrument with your finger to play notes:

Examples:

He sat on the bed, idly plucking (at) the strings of his guitar.
7
courage and a strong wish to succeed:

Examples:

She showed a lot of pluck in standing up to her boss.
8
to remove something, esp. with a sudden movement:

Examples:

Astronauts plan to use the shuttle’s robot arm to pluck the satellite out of space.
9
If you pluck something, you remove hair or feathers from it by pulling:

Examples:

She plucked her eyebrows.
I don’t think I could pluck a chicken.
10
to pull at something with your fingers and then release it:

Examples:

[ T ] Jenkins’s idea of swinging is plucking violins.
[ I ] fig. Her stories are designed to pluck at your heartstrings.
11

Examples:

Her 80-plus years have not dulled her pluck.

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