lunge1
/lʌn(d)ʒ
/noun
1A sudden forward thrust of the body, typically with an arm outstretched to attack someone or seize something: Lucy made a lunge for Gabriel’s wrist a crude lunge at United’s goalscorer...
- Link made a sudden lunge at the squirrel, attempting to get it back.
- With a sudden lunge at the commodore, he sent the other man stumbling back.
- Eaher abruptly turned to the offensive, stepping in with a lunge at Tahr's shoulder, sword at arm's length.
Synonyms
thrust, pounce, dive, jump, spring, leap, rush, sudden movement, grab
1.1The basic attacking move in fencing, in which the leading foot is thrust forward close to the floor with the knee bent while the back leg remains straightened.Kneeling on the ground, arms hanging by your sides, step forward with your left foot into a lunge, bending the knee so it aligns with your left ankle....
- The weight still shifts to the heel for increased power during the lunge so in the moment of the lunge, the rear foot faces straight across the strip.
- Move on to walking lunges, forward and backward.
1.2An exercise or gymnastic movement resembling the lunge of a fencer.He advanced from simple stomach movements to leg and groin stretches, one legged squats, lunges and myriad exercises aimed at strengthening the middle of his body....
- Pushups, lunges and handstands are the most productive and efficient exercises for training strength, balance and coordination.
- When performing leg exercises, only supported lunges or squats should be performed, especially after the first trimester.
verb (lunges, lungeing or lunging, lunged) [no object, with adverbial of direction]
1Make a lunge: McCulloch raised his cudgel and lunged at him John lunged forward and grabbed him by the throat...
- I lunged at her and grabbed her around the waist, thanking her with the deepest, most passionate kiss inside me.
- Morgan lunged at Katazheniya, grabbing her hand and pulling her back out through the bathroom door.
- She doused her hands with liquid, handed it to Veronica, and lunged at Jake, grabbing his face.
Synonyms
thrust, pounce, dive, launch oneself, jump, spring, leap, rush, charge, move suddenly, make a grab
1.1 [with object and adverbial of direction] Make a sudden forward thrust with (a part of the body or a weapon): Billy lunged his spear at the fish...
- Jengo lunged his sword forward, impaling the blade in another creature's mouth.
- Sammael waited for a moment before lunging his sword at Jessam.
- Jean nodded and was quick to strike, lunging his sword in Tyson's direction.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from earlier allonge, from French allonger 'lengthen'.
Rhymes
lunge2
/lʌn(d)ʒ/(also longe)
noun
A long rein on which a horse is held and made to move in a circle round its trainer: a few sessions on the lunge will improve your riding [as modifier]: a lunge line...
- I still had a hold on the lunge line so I swiveled around and was able to stop him before he got completely away.
- Sabrina swayed gently with the canter, her mother watching Sabrina's every move, as she kept the Clydesdale on the lunge line at a steady pace.
- It felt strange at first as Sarah led her into the arena, but after a few circles on the lunge Amber felt herself relaxing.
verb (lunges, lungeing, lunged) [with object]
Exercise (a horse) on a lunge: it seemed wise to lunge him first, as he had not been ridden for days...
- There are lots of good reasons to longe your horse, as long as you do it well.
- I longed the horse for a while and Barbara began to ride him a few weeks later.
- By longeing your horse, you are given the ability to watch him from the ground, so you can monitor his movement, his soundness and his natural frame.
Origin
Early 18th century: from French longe, from allonge 'lengthening out'.
lunge3
/lʌn(d)ʒ/noun North American
Short for muskellunge.