plumb line
A "plumb line" is essential for ensuring vertical alignment in construction and other fields, and it also holds metaphorical significance in literature and religious texts.
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Definition
B2Construction
(technical)A string with a weight at one end used to check vertical alignment.
Example
- The builder used a plumb line to ensure the wall was perfectly vertical.
B2General
A perfectly vertical reference line.
Example
- The tower's alignment was checked against a plumb line.
C1Literature
(metaphorical)A standard or benchmark used for evaluation or judgment.
Example
- In the novel, the character's actions were measured against the plumb line of moral integrity.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "plumb line":