Past tense of 'plunge': to jump or dive suddenly into water; or to fall or descend rapidly, or to thrust something forcefully into something else.
From Old French 'plongier,' derived from Latin 'plumbicum' (related to lead/plumb, implying weight). The word entered English around the 14th century.
When you plunge, your body experiences rapid pressure changes that your inner ear senses immediately—which is why diving feels so thrilling and disorienting, like your brain is trying to recalibrate where 'down' actually is!
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