plenum
nounUK /ˈpliːnəm/ · US /ˈplɛnəm/
Etymology From Latin plēnum n (“space filled with matter”), from plēnus (“full”). The sense of "legislative meeting" is a semantic loan from Russian пле́нум (plénum, “plenary session”), from the same Latin source.
Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics A space that is completely filled with matter.
- The idea was that a thing could only move into an empty place, and that, in a plenum, there are no empty places.1946, Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy:
- The key to understanding medieval interpretations of motion in hypothetically void space is to realize that medieval natural philosophers analyzed the same bodies in the void that they discussed in the plenum of their ordinary world.2001, Edward Grant, God and Reason in the Middle Ages, page 176:
Figuratively A state of fullness, a great quantity (of something).
- He lay on the long stone slant down to the slapping waves, his denim shorts, sneakers, and socks under his head for a pillow, feeling the splendour of distance in all directions, the liquid silence, the plenum of aloneness.1974, Guy Davenport, Tatlin!:
A legislative meeting (especially of the Communist Party) in which all members are present.
An enclosed space having greater than atmospheric pressure.
The space above a false ceiling used for cables, ducts etc.
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences A type of network cabling which satisfies a given plenum rating for the purpose of fire safety.
- Derived terms
- nonplenum, plenum chamber, plenum rating
- Related terms
- in pleno, plenary