plunge

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 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}