Definition of plunge

< plunder

plunger >

plunge    (plnj) KEY 

VERB:
plunged, plung·ing, plung·es
VERB:
tr.

1. To thrust or throw forcefully into a substance or place: "Plunge the lobsters, head first, into a large pot of rapidly boiling salted water" (Craig Claiborne).
2. To cast suddenly, violently, or deeply into a given state or situation: "The street was plunged in cool shadow" (Richard Wright).

VERB:
intr.

1. To fall or throw oneself into a substance or place: We plunged into the icy mountain lake.
2. To throw oneself earnestly or wholeheartedly into an activity or situation: plunged into my studies.
3. To enter or move headlong through something: The hunting dogs plunged into the forest.
4. To descend steeply; fall precipitously: a cliff that plunges to the sea.
5. To move forward and downward violently: The rider plunged from the bucking horse.
6. To become suddenly lower; decrease dramatically: Stock prices plunged during the banking crisis.
7. To speculate or gamble extravagantly.

NOUN:

1. The act or an instance of plunging.
2. 1. A place or area, such as a swimming pool, for diving or plunging.
   2. A swim; a dip.

IDIOM:
take the plunge Informal

To begin an unfamiliar venture, especially after hesitating: After a three-year engagement, they're finally taking the plunge.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English plungen, from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicre, to heave a sounding lead, from Latin plumbum, lead