PLUNGER

piston, plunger

(noun) mechanical device that has a plunging or thrusting motion

plunger, plumber's helper

(noun) hand tool consisting of a stick with a rubber suction cup at one end; used to clean clogged drains

diver, plunger

(noun) someone who dives (into water)

speculator, plunger

(noun) someone who risks losses for the possibility of considerable gains

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

plunger (plural plungers)

A device that is used to remove blockages from the drain of a basin or tub, by suction.

The internal piece of a syringe that pushes out or pulls in any contents.

The sliding activator of an exploder, an electrical generator used to trigger electrical detonators such as blasting caps.

The part of a cafetière that is pushed down to remove grounds from coffee.

One who plunges; a diver.

A horse that plunges, or throws itself suddenly forward.

(military) A cavalryman.

A device similar to a piston but without a mechanism; a long solid cylinder used, instead of a piston or bucket, as a forcer in pumps.

The moving portion of a solenoid.

(pinball) The spring-loaded assembly that propels the ball onto the table.

(dated, slang) A reckless gambler.

(pottery) A boiler in which clay is beaten by a wheel to a creamy consistency.

(firearms) The firing pin of a breechloader.

Synonyms

• (device): plumber's helper (colloquial), plumber's friend (colloquial)

Source: Wiktionary

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Plun"ger, n.

1. One who, or that which, plunges; a diver.

2. A long solid cylinder, used, instead of a piston or bucket, as a forcer in pumps.

3. One who bets heavily and recklessly on a race; a reckless speculator. [Cant]

4. (Pottery)

Definition: A boiler in which clay is beaten by a wheel to a creamy consistence. Knight.

5. (Gun.)

Definition: The firing pin of a breechloader. Plunger bucket, a piston, without a valve, in a pump.

– Plunger pole, the pump rod of a pumping engine.

– Plunger pump, a pump, as for water, having a plunger, instead of a piston, to act upon the water. It may be single-acting or double- acting

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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