plunge

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   cause to be immersed

   The professor plunged the students into the study of the Italian text.

2. 2
   verb

   dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity

   I plunged at the clog eagerly.

3. 3
   verb

   drop steeply

   the stock market plunged

4. 4
   verb

   fall abruptly

   It plunged to the bottom of the well

5. 5
   verb

   To thrust into liquid, or into any penetrable substance; to immerse.

   to plunge the body into water

6. 6
   verb

   To cast, stab or throw deep and fast into some thing, state, condition or action.

   to plunge a dagger into the breast

7. 7
   verb

   To dive, leap or rush (into water or some liquid); to submerge oneself.

   he plunged into the river

8. 8
   verb

   To fall or rush headlong into some thing, action, state or condition.

   to plunge into debt

Etymology

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.