plunge

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To jump or dive suddenly into water or a deep place.

   He plunged into the cold river to cool off.

2. 2
   verb

   To fall or drop suddenly and steeply.

   The stock market plunged after the bad news.

3. 3
   verb

   To push something deep into something else.

   She plunged the knife into the thick cake.

4. 4
   verb

   To suddenly enter a difficult state or situation.

   The country plunged into chaos after the election.

From Middle English plungen, ploungen, Anglo-Norman plungier, from Old French plongier, (Modern French plonger), from unattested Late Latin frequentative *plumbicō (“to throw a leaded line”), from plumbum (“lead”). Compare plumb, plounce.

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