lunge

¹

[ luhnj ]

noun

1. a sudden forward thrust, as with a sword or knife; stab.
2. any sudden forward movement; plunge.

   Synonyms: lurch, charge, rush

verb (used without object)

, lunged, lung·ing.

1. to make a lunge or thrust; move with a lunge.

verb (used with object)

, lunged, lung·ing.

1. to thrust (something) forward; cause to move with a lunge:

   lunging his finger accusingly.

lunge

²

[ luhnj ]

noun

, lunged, lung·ing.

1. longe.

lunge

¹

/ lʌndʒ /

noun

1. a sudden forward motion
2. fencing a thrust made by advancing the front foot and straightening the back leg, extending the sword arm forwards

verb

1. to move or cause to move with a lunge
2. intr fencing to make a lunge

lunge

²

/ lʌndʒ /

noun

1. a rope used in training or exercising a horse

verb

1. tr to exercise or train (a horse) on a lunge

Derived Forms

• ˈlunger, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunge¹

1725–35; earlier longe for French allonge (noun; construed as a longe ), allonger (v.) to lengthen, extend, deliver (blows) < Vulgar Latin *allongāre, for Late Latin ēlongāre to elongate

Origin of lunge²

Variant of longe < French; longe, lune ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunge¹

C18: shortened form of obsolete C17 allonge, from French allonger to stretch out (one's arm), from Late Latin ēlongāre to lengthen. Compare elongate

Origin of lunge²

C17: from Old French longe, shortened from allonge, ultimately from Latin longus long ¹; related to lunge ¹

Example Sentences

He lunged in with a hook which missed by at least a foot in the fifth, illustrating just how much of a difference the age was making.

From BBC

On another occasion, she alleged in the request, he lunged at her, struck her, threw her over the couch and stole her phone when she threatened to call the police.

From Los Angeles Times

At the sentencing, Davis directed a vile remark at Marc Klaas, the victim’s father, who lunged at him.

From Los Angeles Times

Verstappen, now behind, lunged for the inside, they went off and another penalty was dispensed.

From BBC

The 317-pound offensive lineman lunged at Shepherd and pinned him to the ground, knocking the Saints defensive lineman’s helmet off in the process.

From Los Angeles Times