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plunge |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Plunge \Plunge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plunged}; p. pr & vb n. {Plunging}.] [OE. ploungen OF plongier F. plonger, fr (assumed) LL plumbicare fr L. plumbum lead. See {Plumb}.] 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. ``To plunge the boy in pleasing sleep.'' --Dryden. 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Plunge \Plunge\, v. i. 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] {Plunging fire} (Gun.), firing directed upon an enemy from an elevated position. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Plunge \Plunge\, n. 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] {Plunge bath}, an immersion by plunging; also a large bath in which the bather can wholly immerse himself. {Plunge}, or {plunging}, {battery} (Elec.), a voltaic battery so arranged that the plates can be plunged into or withdrawn from the exciting liquid at pleasure. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: plunge n 1: a brief swim in water [syn: {dip}] 2: a steep drop v 1: Thrust or throw into "Immerse yourself in the hot water" [syn: {immerse}] 2: drop steeply; "the stock market plunged" [syn: {dive}, {plunk}] 3: dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity; "She plunged at it eagerly" 4: begin with vigor; "He launched into a long diatribe"; "She plunged into a dangerous adventure" [syn: {launch}] 5: cause to be immersed; "The professor plunged his students into the study of the Italian text" [syn: {immerse}] 6: fall abruptly; "It plunged to the bottom of the well" [syn: {dump}] 7: immerse into a liquid; "dunk the bread into the soup" [syn: {dunk}, {dip}, {souse}, {douse}] 8: engross (oneself) fully; "He immersed himself into his studies" [syn: {steep}, {immerse}, {engulf}, {engross}, {absorb}]
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