plunge
UK: plʌndʒ | US: plʌndʒ
v. to dive, fall, or thrust suddenly and forcefully into something
v. to decrease sharply or rapidly
n. a sudden and steep fall or descent
The word "plunge" traces back to the Latin plumbum (lead), referencing the action of a lead weight sinking rapidly. Through Old French plongier, it evolved into Middle English with the sense of forceful immersion or descent. The silent "e" was later added, a common feature in English spelling. The word retains its core idea of sudden, weighted movement—whether literal (diving) or metaphorical (a sharp decline).
She took a deep breath and plunged into the icy lake.
The stock market plunged after the unexpected economic report.
He plunged the knife into the watermelon with a loud thud.
The company’s profits plunged by 30% this quarter.
The cliff divers plunged gracefully from great heights.