Pluck
/plʌk/noun
To pull or draw something out quickly or forcefully, or to remove feathers, hair, or similar material.
Did you know?The same Germanic root behind *pluck* also gave us *plough*, showing how English often turns the idea of “pulling” into both farming and force.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*plukjaną
“to pluck, pull, or tear off”
Old English
OE
pluccian
“to pluck, pull off, gather by pulling”
Middle English
ME
plukken
“to pull, snatch, or pick off”
14th Century
English
pluck
“to pull off, especially feathers or fruit; later also to snatch or extract”
Modern English
English
pluck
“to pull something out quickly or forcefully; also, courage or spirit”