Definition of plunge

• 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; as, to plunge the body into water; to plunge a dagger into the breast. Also used figuratively; as, to plunge a nation into war.
• v. t. - To baptize by immersion.
• v. t. - To entangle; to embarrass; to overcome.
• 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 used figuratively; as, to plunge into debt.
• v. i. - To pitch or throw one's self headlong or violently forward, as a horse does.
• v. i. - To bet heavily and with seeming recklessness on a race, or other contest; in an extended sense, to risk large sums in hazardous speculations.
• 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.
• n. - Hence, a desperate hazard or act; a state of being submerged or overwhelmed with difficulties.
• n. - The act of pitching or throwing one's self headlong or violently forward, like an unruly horse.
• n. - Heavy and reckless betting in horse racing; hazardous speculation.