Plucker

pluck  (plk)

v. plucked, pluck·ing, plucks

v.tr.

1. To remove or detach by grasping and pulling abruptly with the fingers; pick: pluck a flower; pluck feathers from a chicken.

2. To pull out the hair or feathers of: pluck a chicken.

3. To remove abruptly or forcibly: plucked the child from school in midterm.

4. To give an abrupt pull to; tug at: pluck a sleeve.

5. Music To sound (the strings of an instrument) by pulling and releasing them with the fingers or a plectrum.

v.intr.

To give an abrupt pull; tug.

n.

1. The act or an instance of plucking.

2. Resourceful courage and daring in the face of difficulties; spirit.

3. The heart, liver, windpipe, and lungs of a slaughtered animal.

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[Middle English plukken, from Old English pluccian, probably from Vulgar Latin *piluccre, ultimately from Latin pilre, from pilus, hair.]

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plucker n.