Question

aplomb noun In the 19th century, English speakers borrowed "aplomb," meaning "composure," from French. "Aplomb" can also mean "perpendicularity" in French and comes from the phrase "a plomb," meaning "perpendicularly" or literally "according to the plummet." A plummet is a lead weight that is attached to a line and used to determine vertical alignment. Not surprisingly, "aplomb" and English words like "plumber" and the verb "plumb" ("to measure depth" and "to explore critically and minutely") ultimately trace back to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum." : complete and confident composure or self-assurance : poise

Accepted Answer

May 1, 2014 uh-PLAHM On her first day as a teacher, June handled herself with aplomb, keeping the class engaged and focused.   "The ample chamber orchestra under Boyagian played with zest and aplomb." - From a concert review by Zachary Lewis in The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), March 31, 2014

Word	aplomb
Date	May 1, 2014
Type	noun
Syllables	uh-PLAHM
Etymology	In the 19th century, English speakers borrowed "aplomb," meaning "composure," from French. "Aplomb" can also mean "perpendicularity" in French and comes from the phrase "a plomb," meaning "perpendicularly" or literally "according to the plummet." A plummet is a lead weight that is attached to a line and used to determine vertical alignment. Not surprisingly, "aplomb" and English words like "plumber" and the verb "plumb" ("to measure depth" and "to explore critically and minutely") ultimately trace back to the Latin word for lead, "plumbum."
Examples	On her first day as a teacher, June handled herself with aplomb, keeping the class engaged and focused. "The ample chamber orchestra under Boyagian played with zest and aplomb." - From a concert review by Zachary Lewis in The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), March 31, 2014
Definition	: complete and confident composure or self-assurance : poise

English Meaning Aplomb Noun Uh Plahm 19th Century Speakers