What is the Latin word for plume?

The usual Latin words for “plume” are penna, plūma. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“plume” in Latin

pennawing (of natural or supernatural creatures); feather, especially a flight-feather; pinion; quill pen plūmafeather, plume; metal scale of armor; beard-down

The English word plume itself goes back to Latin plūma.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

plume s.

Feather, penna (the larger feather), pluma (the smaller).

An ornament on the head, etc., crista pennata.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for plume?: The usual Latin words for “plume” are penna, plūma. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.