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. lunge.

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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

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

Seems the old man was a crackerjack boss machinist; but he got to monkeyin' with fool inventions, drifted from place to place, got to be a lunger, and finally passed in.

From Torchy by Brehm, George

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

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

In the afternoons I'm goin' to keep him out in the air—that's all a lunger needs—plenty air, an' good grub.

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