[Fr. aplomb perpendicular position, steadfastness, assurance, f. the phr. à plomb ‘according to the plummet.’]
1. ‘The perpendicular’; perpendicularity.
1872. C. King, Mountain. Sierra Nev., iii. 69. We sprang on, never resting long enough to lose the aplomb.
1880. Mrs. Whitney, Odd or Even, iii. 23. The girl jumped, with clean aplomb, from the wagon-wheel to the broad door-stone.
2. Assurance, confidence, self-possession, coolness.
1828. Morn. Chron., 29 March, 3/4. His expertness and aplomb are such, that he seems never to exert the full spring of his vigour and elasticity.
1828. Gen. P. Thompson, Exerc. (1842), IV. 548. They never present themselves with any aplomb; but always with some lurking recognition of the power of their adversaries.
1849. C. Brontë, Shirley, xi. 162. Impatience of her chilly ceremony and annoyance at her want of aplomb.
3. attrib. quasi-adj. Self-possessed, confident.
1865. Mrs. Whitney, Gayworthys, II. 29. Joanna had a sweet accent on the word, that was a little different from her ordinary, aplomb fashion of speech.
