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

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

In the first place, I felt pretty sure Percy was what they call a "lunger" out here, and I didn't relish the idea of sleeping in a tuberculous bed.

From The Prairie Wife by Dunn, Harvey

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

Aw'm noan beawn to ston here so mich lunger.

From Stephen Archer and Other Tales by MacDonald, George