In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.
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
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
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
Word of the Day
5 June 2025
UNDERLAY
(verb) raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type; “underlay the plate”
Coffee Trivia
