plʌndʒ v. & n. --v. 1 (usu. foll. by
in, into) a tr.
thrust forcefully or abruptly. b intr.
dive;
propel oneself forcibly. c intr. & tr.
enter or
cause to enter a
certain condition or
embark on a certain
course abruptly or impetuously (they plunged
into a
lively discussion;
the room was plunged into darkness). 2 tr.
immerse completely. 3 intr. a
move suddenly
and dramatically
downward. b (foll. by down, into, etc.) move
with a rush (plunged down the stairs). c
diminish rapidly (share prices
have plunged). 4 intr. (of a horse)
start violently
forward. 5 intr. (of a ship) pitch. 6 intr. colloq.
gamble heavily;
run into
debt. --n. a plunging
action or
movement; a dive. øplunging (or plunge)
neckline a low-cut neckline.
take the plunge colloq.
commit oneself to a (usu. risky) course of action. [ME f. OF plungier ult. f. L plumbum plummet]