Main Entry:

lung

Pronunciation:

\ˈləŋ\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English lunge, from Old English lungen; akin to Old High German lungun lung, līhti light in weight — more at light

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: one of the usually paired compound saccular thoracic organs that constitute the basic respiratory organ of air-breathing vertebrates b: any of various respiratory organs of invertebrates2 a: a device enabling individuals abandoning a submarine to rise to the surface b: a mechanical device for regularly introducing fresh air into and withdrawing stale air from the lung : respirator — compare iron lung

— lung·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun