displume: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely Rare / ObsoleteArchaic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “displume” mean?
To strip of feathers, plumes, or honors.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To strip of feathers, plumes, or honors; to deprive of distinction or adornment.
To degrade, debase, or strip of dignity, prestige, or false pretensions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally obsolete in both varieties. No significant regional preference.
Connotations
Poetic, dramatic, or historical. Carries a formal, almost theatrical sense of downfall.
Frequency
Vanishingly rare in modern corpora. May appear in 19th-century literature or deliberate archaic revival.
Grammar
How to Use “displume” in a Sentence
[Subject] displumes [Object] (of [something])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “displume” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scandal served to displume the once-celebrated minister completely.
- He wrote a satirical piece designed to displume the pretentious critics of his age.
American English
- The investigative report aimed to displume the corrupt official of his false respectability.
- In the poem, the eagle is displumed by a storm, a metaphor for fallen pride.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Possible in literary analysis or historical texts discussing figurative language.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in any modern technical field. Historical ornithology for the literal sense.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “displume”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Confusing with 'dispel' or 'displease'.
- Misspelling as 'displum' or 'disploom'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and archaic word. You are unlikely to encounter it outside of historical literature or very deliberate poetic use.
They are synonyms, both meaning to strip of feathers. 'Deplume' is slightly more common in historical or technical (e.g., poultry) contexts, but both are obsolete in modern English.
Almost never. Its core meaning involves a forcible or humiliating removal of adornment or honour, so it carries negative connotations of loss and degradation.
For active use, no. It is more important to recognise it as a passive vocabulary item if you read older texts. For expressing the concept, modern synonyms like 'strip', 'degrade', or 'debase' are vastly preferable.
To strip of feathers, plumes, or honors.
Displume is usually archaic, literary in register.
Displume: in British English it is pronounced /dɪsˈpluːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪsˈplum/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS-honour + PLUME (feather). To take away the feathery honour or decoration.
Conceptual Metaphor
STATUS/DIGNITY IS PLUMAGE. Loss of status is the stripping of feathers.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'displume' be most appropriately used?