pluck

pluck · verb

imported

Definitions

verb

  1. 1.

    To pull something quickly to remove it.

  2. 2.

    To remove the feathers from a bird before cooking.

  3. 3.

    To pull at the strings of a musical instrument with one's fingers.

  4. 4.

    To pull someone from a dangerous or difficult situation.

  5. 5.

    (as noun) Courage and determination.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    pluck up courage — To summon the nerve to do something difficult.
  • •
    pluck something out of the air — To invent something randomly.

Related words

Antonyms: insert, plant
See also: courage, pick, pull
Synonyms: extract, pick, pull

Etymology

From Old English ploccian, pluccian ("to pluck, pull"), of Germanic origin.