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

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

And then what does that young lunger do, but gather in all the floating population in the kid line, and play games with 'em, and read thrillers to 'em up at the bungalow every evening.

From Joyce of the North Woods by Comstock, Harriet T. (Harriet Theresa)

"Your wife isn't a lunger, is she?" the landlord inquired.

From I Walked in Arden by Crawford, Jack

The lunger in turn tries to make the hopper put down his second foot or unfold arms.

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

Guess Lafe is fixing Mr. Blake’s leg.––Which reminds me, honey, that before we left the ranch, Mrs. Blake had me send for that lunger sawbones that’s come to live at Stockchute.

From Out of the Depths A Romance of Reclamation by Brehm, George