lucerne

¹

or lu·cern

[ loo-surn ]

noun

1. alfalfa.

Lucerne

²

[ loo-surn; French ly-sern ]

noun

1. a canton in central Switzerland. 576 sq. mi. (1,490 sq. km).
2. the capital of this canton, on Lake of Lucerne.
3. Lake of. Also called Lake of the Four Forest Cantons. a lake in central Switzerland. 24 miles (39 km) long; 44 sq. mi. (114 sq. km).

Lucerne

¹

/ luːˈsɜːn; lysɛrn /

noun

1. a canton in central Switzerland, northwest of Lake Lucerne: joined the Swiss Confederacy in 1332. Pop: 352 300 (2002 est). Area: 1494 sq km (577 sq miles)
2. a city in central Switzerland, capital of Lucerne canton, on Lake Lucerne: tourist centre. Pop: 59 496 (2000)
3. Lake Lucerne
   Lake Lucerne a lake in central Switzerland: fed and drained chiefly by the River Reuss. Area: 115 sq km (44 sq miles) German nameVierwaldstättersee

lucerne

²

/ luːˈsɜːn /

noun

1. See alfalfa
   another name for alfalfa

Word History and Origins

Origin of lucerne¹

1620–30; alteration (by association with Latin lucerna lamp) of French luzerne < Provençal luzerno glowworm (the plant was so called in allusion to its bright seeds); akin to Old Provençal luzerna lamp < Vulgar Latin *lūcerna, for Latin lucerna. See lucid

Example Sentences

Battle of Sempach, in the canton of Lucerne, which established the independence of Switzerland.

From Project Gutenberg

Clover, lucerne, ryegrass and similar grasses have been introduced to improve and vary the fodder.

From Project Gutenberg

Lucerne, in Switzerland does not excel it in romantic grandeur of situation.

From Project Gutenberg

We went to Lucerne, and thence to Como, where I intended to leave her.

From Project Gutenberg

Elena had spent part of the summer at Lucerne,—she had just come from Paris.

From Project Gutenberg