First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1lurch
verb \ˈlərch\
Definition of LURCH
intransitive verb
dial chiefly English : to loiter about a place furtively : prowl
transitive verb
1
obsolete : steal
2
archaic : cheat
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Origin of LURCH
Middle English lorchen, probably alteration of lurken to lurk
2lurch
noun
Definition of LURCH
: a decisive defeat in which an opponent wins a game by more than double the defeated player's score especially in cribbage
— in the lurch
: in a vulnerable and unsupported position
Origin of LURCH
Middle French lourche, adjective, defeated by a lurch, deceived
First Known Use: 1598
3lurch
verb
Definition of LURCH
transitive verb
1
archaic : to leave in the lurch
2
: to defeat by a lurch (as in cribbage)
First Known Use of LURCH
circa 1651
4lurch
noun
Definition of LURCH
1
: a sudden roll of a ship to one side
2
: an abrupt jerking, swaying, or tipping movement <the car moved forward with a lurch>; also : stagger 2
Origin of LURCH
origin unknown
First Known Use: 1805
5lurch
verb
Definition of LURCH
intransitive verb
1
: to roll or tip abruptly : pitch
2
: to move with a lurch <suddenly lurched forward>; also : stagger <has lurched from crisis to crisis — Jere Longman>
First Known Use of LURCH
circa 1828
LURCH Defined for Kids
1lurch
noun \ˈlərch\
Definition of LURCH for Kids
: a sudden swaying, tipping, or jerking movement
2lurch
verb
lurchedlurch·ing
Definition of LURCH for Kids
: to move with a sudden swaying, tipping, or jerking motion <The boat lurched in rough seas.>
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