Main Entry:

¹plunge

Pronunciation:

\ˈplənj\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

plunged; plung·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French plunger, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare, from Latin plumbum lead

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something <plunged the dagger>2: to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently <plunged the nation into economic depression>intransitive verb1: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water2 a: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward ; also : to move oneself in such a manner <plunged off the embankment> b: to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly <plunges into project after project> c: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly3: to descend or dip suddenly <the stock's value plunged>