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pluck

 
 
pronunciation:
pluhk
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: plucks, plucking, plucked
definition 1: to take hold of with the fingers and pull off or out; pick.
She plucked an apple from the tree.
synonyms:
gather, pick
similar words:
draw, extract, pinch, pull, uproot, yank
definition 2: to remove the feathers of.
Pluck the goose before cooking it.
similar words:
dress, strip
definition 3: to play (the string of an instrument) by pulling and releasing.
She plucked the harpstrings.
synonyms:
pick, plunk, thrum
similar words:
finger, strum, twang
definition 4: to make a grasping and releasing motion upon.
He keeps plucking his sleeve nervously.
synonyms:
twitch
similar words:
clutch, grasp, pull, tug, tweak
definition 5: to grab and remove quickly.
He plucked the wounded bird from the cat's mouth.
synonyms:
jerk, snatch, tear, wrench, wrest, yank
similar words:
grab, pull, remove, seize, swoop
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to tug or pull (often fol. by "at").
She plucked at his sleeve to get his attention.
synonyms:
clutch, grasp, pull, seize, tug, twitch
similar words:
grab, jerk, snatch, tear, wrench, yank
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: the act of plucking.
synonyms:
grab, pull, snatch, tug, tweak, twitch
similar words:
jerk, seizure, tear, wrench, yank
definition 2: strong resolve, courage, or spirit in spite of difficulty.
It took pluck for a woman to pursue her own career in those days, especially one in a profession that had never hired women.
synonyms:
fortitude, grit, hardihood, moxie, spunk, will
similar words:
determination, fight, guts, heart, mettle, nerve, resolve, spine, spirit, strength, tenacity, valor
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derivation: plucker (n.)
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  instrument, music