pluck

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: gutsinesspluckinesstweakpull offpick offhustlerolloverchargesoaksurchargegazumpfleece

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. the trait of showing courage and determination in spite of possible loss or injurySynonyms: gutsinesspluckiness
  2. the act of pulling and releasing a taut cord

Verb (6)

  1. pull or pull out sharply“pluck the flowers off the bush”Synonyms: tweakpull offpick off
  2. sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activitySynonyms: hustleroll
  3. rip off; ask an unreasonable priceSynonyms: overchargesoaksurchargegazumpfleeceplumerobhook
  4. pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion“he plucked the strings of his mandolin”Synonyms: plunkpick
  5. strip of feathers“pull a chicken”“pluck the capon”Synonyms: pullteardeplumedeplumatedisplume
  6. look for and gather“pick mushrooms”“pick flowers”Synonyms: pickcull
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Pluck \Pluck\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plucked; p. pr. & vb. n. Plucking.] [AS. pluccian; akin to LG. & D. plukken, G. pfl["u]cken, Icel. plokka, plukka, Dan. plukke, Sw. plocka. ?27.]

1.To pull; to draw. [1913 Webster]

Its own nature . . . plucks on its own dissolution.— Je?. Taylor.[1913 Webster]

2.Especially, to pull with sudden force or effort, or to pull off or out from something, with a twitch; to twitch; also, to gather, to pick; as, to pluck feathers from a fowl; to pluck hair or wool from a skin; to pluck grapes. [1913 Webster]

I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
E'en children followed, with endearing wile, And plucked his gown to share the good man's smile.— Goldsmith.[1913 Webster]

3.To strip of, or as of, feathers; as, to pluck a fowl. [1913 Webster]

They which pass by the way do pluck her.— Ps. lxxx.?2.[1913 Webster]

4.(Eng. Universities) To reject at an examination for degrees. --C. Bront['e]. [1913 Webster]

To pluck away, to pull away, or to separate by pulling; to tear away.

To pluck down, to pull down; to demolish; to reduce to a lower state.

to pluck off, to pull or tear off; as, to pluck off the skin.

to pluck up. (a) To tear up by the roots or from the foundation; to eradicate; to exterminate; to destroy; as, to pluck up a plant; to pluck up a nation. --Jer. xii. 17. (b) To gather up; to summon; as, to pluck up courage. [1913 Webster]

Pluck \Pluck\, v. i. To make a motion of pulling or twitching; -- usually with at; as, to pluck at one's gown. [1913 Webster]
Pluck \Pluck\, n.

1.The act of plucking; a pull; a twitch. [1913 Webster]

2.[Prob. so called as being plucked out after the animal is killed; or cf. Gael. & Ir. pluc a lump, a knot, a bunch.] The heart, liver, and lights of an animal. [1913 Webster]

3.Spirit; courage; indomitable resolution; fortitude. [1913 Webster]

Decay of English spirit, decay of manly pluck.— Thackeray.[1913 Webster]

4.The act of plucking, or the state of being plucked, at college. See Pluck, v. t., 4. [1913 Webster]

5.(Zool.) The lyrie. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

Lyrie \Ly"rie\ (l[imac]"r[i^]), n. [Icel. hl[=y]ri a sort of fish.] (Zool.) A European fish (Peristethus cataphractum), having the body covered with bony plates, and having three spines projecting in front of the nose; -- called also noble, pluck, pogge, sea poacher, and armed bullhead. [1913 Webster]
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