plomb

lead (metal)

noun PLOHN Less Common

Origin: Latin plumbum (lead).

Also means

plumb line

Usage Note

plomb names the heavy grey metal used historically in pipes and paint. The idiom avoir du plomb dans l'aile ('to have lead in the wing') means to be in a bad way or faltering. A plombier (plumber) takes his name from this word, as early pipes were made of lead.

Examples

"Les vieilles canalisations sont en plomb."

Natural Translation

The old pipes are made of lead.

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