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lurch

verb (1)
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\ ˈlərch How to pronounce lurch (audio) \
lurched; lurching; lurches

Definition of lurch

 (Entry 1 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to move with a lurch suddenly lurched forward also : stagger has lurched from crisis to crisis — Jere Longman
2 : to roll or tip abruptly : pitch

lurch

noun (1)

Definition of lurch (Entry 2 of 5)

1 : an abrupt jerking, swaying, or tipping movement the car moved forward with a lurch also : stagger sense 2
2 : a sudden roll of a ship to one side

lurch

noun (2)

Definition of lurch (Entry 3 of 5)

: a decisive defeat in which an opponent wins a game by more than double the defeated player's score especially in cribbage
in the lurch
: in a vulnerable and unsupported position At the peak of the noonday rush the cashier stalked out and left him in the lurch.

lurch

verb (2)
lurched; lurching; lurches

Definition of lurch (Entry 4 of 5)

transitive verb

1 : to defeat by a lurch (as in cribbage)
2 archaic : to leave in the lurch

lurch

verb (3)
lurched; lurching; lurches

Definition of lurch (Entry 5 of 5)

intransitive verb

dialectal, chiefly England : to loiter about a place furtively : prowl

transitive verb

1 archaic : cheat
2 obsolete : steal

First Known Use of lurch

Verb (1)

circa 1828, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (1)

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

circa 1651, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (3)

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

History and Etymology for lurch

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle French lourche, adjective, defeated by a lurch, deceived

Verb (3)

Middle English lorchen, probably alteration of lurken to lurk

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Time Traveler for lurch

Time Traveler

The first known use of lurch was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Lurch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lurch. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for lurch

lurch

noun
\ ˈlərch How to pronounce lurch (audio) \

Kids Definition of lurch

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a sudden swaying, tipping, or jerking movement

lurch

verb
lurched; lurching

Kids Definition of lurch (Entry 2 of 2)

: to move with a sudden swaying, tipping, or jerking motion The boat lurched in rough seas.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lurch

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lurch

Nglish: Translation of lurch for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of lurch for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lurch

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