Dictionary entry

Plunge

Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.

Plunged and graveled with three lines of Seneca. Sir T. Browne.