aplomb
[uh-plom, uh-pluhm]
- imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
- the perpendicular, or vertical, position.
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Origin of aplomb
First recorded in 1820–30, aplomb is from the French word à plomb according to the plummet, i.e., straight up and down, vertical position
Synonyms
See more synonyms for aplomb on Thesaurus.com1. composure, equanimity, imperturbability.
Antonyms
1. confusion, discomposure; doubt, uncertainty.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for aplomb
Contemporary Examples
Resolving moral dilemmas is her daily work, and she does it with clarity and aplomb.
Meanwhile, during the past several years in Champagne, the “Grower” movement has gained momentum and aplomb.
When he needed to put Rick Perry and Rick Santorum away during the primaries, by God he did it, and with aplomb.
But Obama and his party have been playing the race card with the aplomb of a Jim Crow Democrat.
The no-nonsense Belvin Perry Jr. presided over the tangled proceedings with aplomb.
Historical Examples
She received his bits of news with the aplomb of a resourceful commander.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
Miss Milbrey disunited the chatting couple with swiftness and aplomb.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
I could read as much in her narrowed eyes as she tried for aplomb with her guests.
Ruggles of Red GapHarry Leon Wilson
The aplomb—why should there be a French word for an English quality?
The Knight Of Gwynne, Vol. I (of II)Charles James Lever
Before the end of the repast he had recovered all his assurance, all his aplomb.
Samuel Brohl & CompanyVictor Cherbuliez
aplomb
- equanimity, self-confidence, or self-possession
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Word Origin
C18: from French: rectitude, uprightness, from à plomb according to the plumb line, vertically
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for aplomb
n.
"assurance, confidence," 1828, from French aplomb (16c.), literally "perpendicularity," from phrase à plomb "poised upright, balanced," literally "on the plumb line," from Latin plumbum "(the metal) lead" (see plumb (n.)), of which the weight at the end of the line was made.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper