from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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Bound and plunged him into a cell. --Tennyson.
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We shall be plunged into perpetual errors. --I.
Watts.
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2. To baptize by immersion.
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3. To entangle; to embarrass; to overcome. [Obs.]
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Plunged and graveled with three lines of Seneca.
--Sir T.
Browne.
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