Plunge — Defs

01 v. t. To thrust into water, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse; to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly; to thrust;…

imp. & p. p. Plunged; p. pr. & vb. n. Plunging

1.
To thrust into water, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse; to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly; to thrust; as, to plunge the body into water; to plunge a dagger into the breast. Also used figuratively; as, to plunge a nation into war.
“Bound and plunged him into a cell.” — Tennyson.

“We shall be plunged into perpetual errors.” — I. Watts.
2.
To baptize by immersion.
3.
To entangle; to embarrass; to overcome.[Obs.]
“Plunged and graveled with three lines of Seneca.” — Sir T. Browne.

02 v. i. To thrust or cast one's self into water or other fluid; to submerge one's self; to dive, or to rush in; as, he plunged into the river. Also…

1.
To thrust or cast one's self into water or other fluid; to submerge one's self; to dive, or to rush in; as, he plunged into the river. Also used figuratively; as, to plunge into debt.
“Forced to plunge naked in the raging sea.” — Dryden.

“To plunge into guilt of a murther.” — Tillotson.
2.
To pitch or throw one's self headlong or violently forward, as a horse does.
“Some wild colt, which . . . flings and plunges.” — Bp. Hall.
3.
To bet heavily and with seeming recklessness on a race, or other contest; in an extended sense, to risk large sums in hazardous speculations.[Cant]

Phrases & compounds

Plunging fire — firing directed upon an enemy from an elevated position.

03 n. The act of thrusting into or submerging; a dive, leap, rush, or pitch into, or as into, water; as, to take the water with a plunge.

1.
The act of thrusting into or submerging; a dive, leap, rush, or pitch into, or as into, water; as, to take the water with a plunge.
2.
Hence, a desperate hazard or act; a state of being submerged or overwhelmed with difficulties.[R.]
“She was brought to that plunge, to conceal her husband's murder or accuse her son.” — Sir P. Sidney.

“And with thou not reach out a friendly arm, To raise me from amidst this plunge of sorrows?” — Addison.
3.
The act of pitching or throwing one's self headlong or violently forward, like an unruly horse.
4.
Heavy and reckless betting in horse racing; hazardous speculation.[Cant]

Phrases & compounds

Plunge bath — an immersion by plunging; also, a large bath in which the bather can wholly immerse himself.

Plunge battery — a voltaic battery so arranged that the plates can be plunged into, or withdrawn from, the exciting liquid at pleasure.