n.
Pronunciation: ' pl ə nj
Function: verb
Inflected Form: plunged ; plung · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French plunger, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare, from Latin plumbum lead
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : 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 verb
1 : to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water
2 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 recklessly
3 : to descend or dip suddenly <the stock's value plunged >