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

The mesa just like a big green table spread under the sky—what is it that lunger poet said—‘under the wide and starry sky’?

From Across the Mesa by Pitz, Henry Clarence

If he was a "lunger" he wanted to die as soon as possible.

From Calvary Alley by Rice, Alice Caldwell Hegan

The youth had been a "lunger" from Iowa, a fairly nice little chap, and entirely suited to his duties under any other circumstances than those which prevailed in Mexico at that time.

From The Mucker by Burroughs, Edgar Rice

"You don't look like a lunger," said Barrows, eying her critically.

From Sunny Slopes by Hueston, Ethel