plummet

Something that weighs down or oppresses; a burden.

To fall straight down; plunge.

To decline suddenly and steeply.

To weight with plummets, or as with plummets.

A piece of lead or other metal attached to a line, used in sounding the depth of water, determining the vertical, etc.

An instrument used by carpenters, masons, and others in adjusting erections to a vertical line; a plumb-rule.

The pommel or knob on the hilt of a sword.

A weight.

A piece of lead formerly used by school-boys to rule paper for writing.