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Added 9 October 2026

pluck

/plʌk/ noun

In Latin: carpō, vellō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pluck at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The trait of showing courage and determination in spite of possible loss or injury.
The act of pulling and releasing a taut cord.

verb

Pull or pull out sharply.
pluck the flowers off the bush
Sell something to or obtain something from by energetic and especially underhanded activity.
Rip off; ask an unreasonable price.

Origin

From Middle English plucken, plukken, plockien, from Old English pluccian, ploccian (“to pluck, pull away, tear”), also Old English plyċċan ("to pluck, pull, snatch; pluck with desire"), from Proto-West Germanic *plukkōn, from Proto-Germanic *plukkōną, *plukkijaną (“to pluck”), of uncertain and disputed origin. Perhaps related to Old English pullian (“to pull, draw; pluck off; snatch”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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