The prospect of plunder reconciled all disputes

Dutch and English, admirals and generals, were equally eager for action. Macaulay, War of the Succe ion in Spain. 4. Hence, that which is taken by theft, robbery, or fraud: as, the cashier escaped with his plunder. Syn. 3. Booty, Spoil, etc. See pillage. plunder (plun'der), v. t. [ He [Raleigh] hath fired and plundered Santo Thoma, a Colony the Spaniards had planted with so much blood. Howell, Letters, I. i. 4. It is not demonstrated that kings and aristocracies will plunder the people, unle it be true that all men will plunder their neighbours if they can. Macaulay , West. Reviewer's Def. of Mill. 2. To take by pillage or open force: as, the enemy plundered all the goods they found. IMG:content-0473.png:[blocks in formation] plunging . [ME. plungen , ploungen , plongen , plonger , plonchier , F. plonger = Picard plonker , * plumbic are , freq., plunge; cf. Pr. plombar , plunge, = It. piombare , fall heavily like lead, plunge, throw, hurl (see also plump2 , v .); plumbum , lead: see plumb2 . The L. plumb are means only 'solder with lead,' 'make of lead. For the LL. freq. * plumbic are , cf. pluck1 , prob. * pili care , * pilucare . ] I. trans. 1. To cast or thrust suddenly into water or some other fluid, or into some penetrable substance; immerse; thrust: as, to plunge one's hand into the water; to plunge a dagger into one's breast. What if the breath that kindled those grim fires, Awaked, should blow them into sevenfold rage,