plumbing

n. 铅工业；铅管品制造

v. 探究；垂直悬挂；用铅锤测量；灌铅以增重（plumb的现在分词）

中文词源

plumbing 管路系统，自来水系统

来自plumb,铅，-ing,集合名词后缀。因过去自来水管多为铅管，因此，引申词义管路系统，自来水系统。

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.: 他们曾保证水管一年前彻底检修过。

2. Plumbing and electrics are installed to a high standard.: 管道设备和电路按照高标准安装。

3. She learned the rudiments of brick-laying, wiring and plumbing.: 她学习了砌砖、布线和管道工程的基本知识。

5. She spent her life plumbing the mysteries of the human psyche.: 她毕生探索人类心灵的奥秘。