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aplomb

self-assurance

noun ah-PLON Rare
Mind & Emotions Attitudes

Origin: From à plomb, meaning 'vertically', from Latin plumbum (lead, as in a plumb line).

Also means

plumb (vertical)

Usage Note

Aplomb in everyday speech means cool self-confidence or nerve, as in il répond avec aplomb ('he answers with self-assurance'). In construction, it retains the literal sense of being perfectly vertical. The common phrase d'aplomb can mean 'steady on one's feet' or 'in good shape'.

Examples

"Elle a répondu avec aplomb."

Natural Translation

She answered with self-assurance.

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