lunger

¹

[ luhng-er ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a person who has chronic lung disease, especially tuberculosis.

lunger

²

[ luhn-jer ]

noun

1. a person or thing that lunges. lunge.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lunger¹

First recorded in 1890–95; lung + -er ¹

Origin of lunger²

First recorded in 1835–45; lunge ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

In the afternoons I'm goin' to keep him out in the air—that's all a lunger needs—plenty air, an' good grub.

From Project Gutenberg

The lunger-blocks in which we train the victims of Russian tyranny to appreciate our freedom.

From Project Gutenberg

The kid's a lunger, an' the first thing to do is to git him started in to feelin' like a man.

From Project Gutenberg

He suppressed a little hacking cough that told its own story; he was a “lunger.”

From Project Gutenberg

On hearing this, ey could bear nah lunger, boh shouted out, 'Witches!

From Project Gutenberg