plumbing

• n. 鉛産業；鉛配管
• v. 探検する；垂直に吊るす；鉛筆で測る；重量を増すために鉛で満たす（plumbの現在分詞）。

plumb、lead、-ing、集合名詞の接尾辞から。昔は水道管のほとんどが鉛管であったため、plumbing system, tap water systemから派生した。

plumbing (n.)

mid-15c., "the weighting of a fishing line," verbal noun from plumb (v.). Specific meaning "water and drainage pipes" is recorded by 1875, American English.

THE apparatus by which the water from a reservoir is carried about over a building and delivered at points convenient for use, is called by the general name of plumbing. The word "plumbing" means lead-work; and it is used to signify this water apparatus of a house because the pipes of which it largely consists are usually made of lead. [Edward Abbott, "Long Look House: A Book for Boys and Girls," Boston, 1877]

Alternative plumbery also is mid-15c. Slang meaning "a person's reproductive organs" attested by 1975.

1. They had ensured the plumbing was overhauled a year ago.

彼らは水道管を1年前に徹底的に点検したことを保証した。

2. Plumbing and electrics are installed to a high standard.

配管設備と回路は高規格で設置されている。

3.She learned the rudiments of brick-laying,wiring and plumbing .

彼女は煉瓦、配線、配管工事の基本知識を学んだ。

4.The electrics and the plumbing were sound.

電気回路も水暖房装置も完全に損傷していない。

5.She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche.

彼女は生涯を通じて人間の心の奥義を探求した。