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ter, 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. "To plunge the boy in pleasing sleep." Dryden. Bound and plunged him…

To pluck and release quickly (a musical string); to twang.

Poetry; metrical composition; poems. Music and poesy used to quicken you. Shak.

vered with canvas, India rubber, etc., forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly for the passage of troops.

A small, sharp, quick explosive sound or report; as, to go off with a pop. Addison.

To move quickly up and down; to bob up and down, as a cork on rough water; also, to bubble. Cotton.

A composition of quicksilver, tin, and sulphur, forming a yellow powder, sometimes used by mediæval artists, for the sake of economy, instead of gold. Fairholt.

obtain the true result. -- Guns of position (Mil.), heavy fieldpieces, not designed for quick movements. -- Position finder (Mil.), a range finder. See under Range. -- Position micrometer, a micrometer applied to the tube of an astronomical telescope for measuring angles of position in the field of view. -- Single…

A melodic embellishment consisting of the quick alternation of a principal tone with an auxiliary tone above it, usually the next of the scale; --called also the inverted mordente.

Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] Arbuthnot.

Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous attempts. Sir T. Browne. "Marian's low, precipitous `Hush!'" Mrs. Browning. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ly, adv. -- Pre*cip"i*tous*ness, n.

Foresight. [Obs.] Naught might hinder his quick prejudize. Spenser.

Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit. [R.]

Ready; quick; immediate in effect; as, presentaneous poison. [Obs.] Harvey.

Very quickly; with great rapidity.

Quickly; immediately; in haste; suddenly. Presto! begone! 'tis here again. Swift.

fessed; a declaration; an avowal; a claim; as, his professions are insincere. The Indians quickly perceive the coincidence or the contradiction between professions and conduct. J. Morse.

Ready and quick to act as occasion demands; meeting requirements readily; not slow, dilatory, or hesitating in decision or action; responding on the instant; immediate; as, prompt in obedience or compliance; -- said of persons. Very discerning and prompt in giving orders. Clarendon. Tell him I am prompt To lay my crown…

The quality of being prompt; quickness of decision and action when occasion demands; alacrity; as, promptitude in obedience. Men of action, of promptitude, and of courage. I. Taylor.

Promptitude; readiness; quickness of decision or action.