lunger

¹ American  

[luhng-er] / ˈlʌŋ ər /

noun

Informal.

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

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lunger ² American  

[luhn-jer] / ˈlʌn dʒər /

noun

1. a person or thing that lunges.

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Etymology

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

See Examples For:

lunger

His father was a "lunger," and ex-professor from the East; his mother a vestal virgin dedicated to keeping the home fires burning.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ey hate yo because yo are neaw lunger my sister—becose yo 're a grand ledy's dowter, an a grand ledy yersel.

From The Lancashire Witches A Romance of Pendle Forest by William Harrison Ainsworth

Ma'am, I'm sorry for you, but I wouldn't really have picked you out for a lunger.

From Heart's Desire by Emerson Hough

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

From Connie Morgan in the Fur Country by James B. (James Beardsley) Hendryx

The hopper tries to make the lunger move one of his feet.

From Games for the Playground, Home, School and Gymnasium by Jessie Hubbell Bancroft