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plunge

 [pluhnj]   Example Sentences Origin

plunge

   [pluhnj] verb, plunged, plung·ing, noun
verb (used with object)
1.
to cast or thrust forcibly or suddenly into something, as a liquid, a penetrable substance, a place, etc.; immerse; submerge: to plunge a dagger into one's heart.
2.
to bring suddenly or forcibly into some condition, situation, etc.: to plunge a country into war; to pull a switch and plunge a house into darkness.
3.
Horticulture. to place (a potted plant) up to its rim in soil or in certain other materials, as sand or moss.
4.
Surveying. to transit (the telescope of a transit or theodolite).
verb (used without object)
5.
to cast oneself, or fall as if cast, into water, a hole, etc.
6.
to rush or dash with headlong haste: to plunge through a crowd.
7.
to bet or speculate recklessly: to plunge on the stock market.
8.
to throw oneself impetuously or abruptly into some condition, situation, matter, etc.: to plunge into debt.
9.
to descend abruptly or precipitously, as a cliff, road, etc.
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10.
to pitch violently forward, as a horse, ship, etc.
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Plunge is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
chat, to converse
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
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noun
11.
act of plunging.
12.
a leap or dive, as into water.
13.
a headlong or impetuous rush or dash: a plunge into danger.
14.
a sudden, violent pitching movement.
15.
a place for plunging or diving, as a swimming pool.
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16.
Geology. pitch (def. 48).
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Idiom
17.
take the plunge, to enter with sudden decision upon an unfamiliar course of action, as after hesitation or deliberation: She took the plunge and invested her entire savings in the plan.
Origin:
1325–75; Middle English < Middle French plung(i)er ≪ Vulgar Latin *plumbicāre to heave the lead. See plumb

Related forms
re·plunge, verb, re·plunged, re·plung·ing; noun
un·plunged, adjective

Synonyms
1. See dip1. 5. dive. 6. hasten. 9. drop.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To Plunge
Example Sentences
  • Then, the batteries fail, and the temperatures plunge as fast as the shrinking current.
  • And with a spinoff game out this month, quite a few of them will decide that it's the right time to take the plunge.
  • Judging by the latest plunge in pending home sales, it doesn't appear that many bargain-hunters are interested.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
plunge (plʌndʒ)
 
—vb
1.  (usually foll by into) to thrust or throw (something, oneself, etc): they plunged into the sea
2.  to throw or be thrown into a certain state or condition: the room was plunged into darkness
3.  (usually foll by into) to involve or become involved deeply (in): he plunged himself into a course of Sanskrit
4.  (intr) to move or dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity
5.  (intr) to descend very suddenly or steeply: the ship plunged in heavy seas; a plunging neckline
6.  informal (intr) to speculate or gamble recklessly, for high stakes, etc
 
—n
7.  a leap or dive as into water
8.  informal a swim; dip
9.  chiefly (US) a place where one can swim or dive, such as a swimming pool
10.  a headlong rush: a plunge for the exit
11.  a pitching or tossing motion
12.  informal take the plunge
 a.  to resolve to do something dangerous or irrevocable
 b.  to get married
 
[C14: from Old French plongier, from Vulgar Latin plumbicāre (unattested) to sound with a plummet, from Latin plumbum lead]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

plunge
c.1380, from O.Fr. plungier (c.1140), from V.L. *plumbicare "to heave the lead," from L. plumbum "lead" (see plumb). Original notion perhaps is of a sounding lead or a fishing net weighted with lead. Fig. use in take the plunge "commit oneself" is from 1845. Plunger as a mechanism
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is from 1777. Plunging neckline attested from 1949.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

plunge

see take the plunge.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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