Lurch

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɜː(r)tʃ

Full definition of lurch

Noun

1. A sudden or unsteady movement.the lurch of a ship, or of a drunkard
• 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet Chapter 4Yet I hoped by grouting at the earth below it to be able to dislodge the stone at the side; but while I was considering how best to begin, the candle flickered, the wick gave a sudden lurch to one side, and I was left in darkness.

Verb

1. To make such a sudden, unsteady movement.
2. (obsolete) To leave someone in the lurch; to cheat.
• SouthNever deceive or lurch the sincere communicant.
3. (obsolete) To steal; to rob.
• ShakespeareAnd in the brunt of seventeen battles since
  He lurched all swords of the garland.

Latin lurcare.

Verb

1. (obsolete) To swallow or eat greedily; to devour; hence, to swallow up.
• Francis BaconToo far off from great cities, which may hinder business; too near them, which lurcheth all provisions, and maketh everything dear.

French lourche ("deceived, embarrassed; also the name of a game").

Noun

1. An old game played with dice and counters; a variety of the game of tables.
2. A double score in cribbage for the winner when his/her adversary has been left in the lurch.
• WalpoleLady Blandford has cried her eyes out on losing a lurch.

Anagrams

• churl