plumbline
Weighted string tool
A plumbline is a cord with a weight attached, used to establish a true vertical.
Builders and surveyors hang it freely, letting gravity do the work—the weighted end points straight down.
Figuratively, a plumbline is any standard for measuring alignment or integrity: The Constitution serves as a plumbline for judicial decisions.
Also spelled plumb line.
Short vertical movement
- weightMeasure of heaviness
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- cordFlexible twisted strand
- stringSlender fiber or character sequence
sinker · brass · cone · point · level · straightedge · gauge · marker
At right angles
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- verticalAt right angles groundward
- straightNot curved or crooked
- trueAccurate or loyal
square · right-angle · alignment · trueness · deviation · lean · tilt · inclination
Level of quality accepted
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- truthAccordance with reality
- justiceFair treatment under law
uprightness · integrity · measure · test · criterion · rectitude · biblical · Amos
Precision angle-measuring instrument
- transitMovement between places
- benchmarkStandard for comparison
- datumSingle unit of information
- triangulationLocation via three points
elevation · grade · boundary · stake · rod · chain · measuring · mapping
Building with mortared blocks
- bricklayingConstructing with mortared blocks
- carpentryWood construction trade
- stonemasonryCraft of shaping rock
- framingStructural or contextual shaping
foundation · doorframe · tiling · drywall · plastering · scaffolding · site · renovation
bob
Short vertical movement
string · sinker · brass · cone · point · level · straightedge · gauge · marker · measuring
perpendicular
At right angles
true · square · right-angle · alignment · trueness · deviation · lean · tilt · inclination · correction
standard
Level of quality accepted
- righteousnessMoral correctness or virtue
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- truthAccordance with reality
justice · uprightness · integrity · measure · test · criterion · rectitude · biblical · Amos · prophecy
theodolite
Precision angle-measuring instrument
triangulation · elevation · grade · boundary · stake · rod · chain · measuring · mapping · engineering
masonry
Building with mortared blocks
- bricklayingConstructing with mortared blocks
- carpentryWood construction trade
- stonemasonryCraft of shaping rock
framing · foundation · doorframe · tiling · drywall · plastering · scaffolding · site · renovation · craftsmanship
plumblinespirit level
Bubble-based alignment tool
horizontal · level · horizontal line · water level · laser level
plumblinecrooked line
Non-straight mark
off-kilter · askew · canted · tilted · leaning
plumblinecrooked
Bent or dishonest
askew · off-kilter · misaligned · skewed · warped