lurchn.1
/ləːtʃ/, U.S. /lərtʃ/ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > board game > backgammon > [noun] > varieties of backgammon
faylesc1330
provinciala1500
Irish game1509
Irishc1530
queen's gamec1557
tick-tack1558
sice-ace1594
doublet1611
lurch1611
tric-trac1687
verquerea1700
chouette1935
sheshbesh1971
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Lourche, the game called Lurche.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 1st Bk. Wks. xxii. 94 There he played..At the lurch.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso (1674) i. xli. 57 He might account business his pastime..instead of Picquet or Lurch.
1693 T. Urquhart & P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais 3rd Bk. Wks. xii. 98 My Mind was only running upon the lurch and tricktrack.
2. Used in various games to denote a certain concluding state of the score, in which one player is enormously ahead of the other; often, a ‘maiden set’ or love-game, i.e. a game or set of games in which the loser scores nothing; at cribbage, a game in which the winner scores 61 before the loser has scored 31; in whist, a treble. to save the lurch: in whist, to prevent one's adversary from scoring a treble. Now rare (? or Obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > [noun] > winning or win
winningc1330
lurchingc1350
lurch1598
whitewash1834
win1862
whitewash1866
romp1919
upset1921
sweep1960
1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Marcio, a lurch or maiden set at any game.
1606 T. Dekker Seuen Deadly Sinnes London iv. sig. E2 What by Betting, Lurches, Rubbers and such tricks, they neuer tooke care for a good daies worke afterwards.
1608 T. Dekker Belman of London F 3 Whose Inne is a Bowling Alley, whose bookes are bowles, and whose law cases are lurches and rubbers.
1653 T. Urquhart tr. F. Rabelais 2nd Bk. Wks. xii. 86 By two of my table men in the corner-point I have gained the lurch.
1674 F. Gouldman Copious Dict. (ed. 3) 1 A lurch, duplex palma, facilis victoria.
1742 E. Hoyle Short Treat. Game Whist i. 13 A Probability either of saving your Lurch, or winning the Game.
1745 Gentleman's Mag. Nov. 606/2 A King!—we're up—I vow I fear'd a lurch.
1784 H. Walpole Let. 14 Aug. (1858) VIII. 495 Lady Blandford has cried her eyes out on losing a lurch.
1860 Bohn's Handbk. Games iii. 83 The game [long whist] consists of ten points; when no points are marked by the losing partners, it is treble, and reckons three points;..This is called a lurch.
1876 ‘Capt. Crawley’ Card Player's Man. 18 Lurch (at Long Whist), not saving the double.
1876 ‘Capt. Crawley’ Card Player's Man. 128 [Cribbage] A lurch—scoring the whole sixty-one before your adversary has scored thirty-one—is equivalent to a double game.
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 129/2 Lurch game, a game in which one side has scored five before the other has scored one.
3. † a. A discomfiture. Obsolete.† b. to give (a person) the lurch: to discomfit, get the better of. Obsolete.† c. to have (take) on (in, at) the lurch: to have or take (a person) at a disadvantage. Obsolete.† d. in a person's lurch: in his power. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > defeat or overthrow > [noun]
fallOE
confusionc1290
discomfiturea1400
castc1400
overthrowc1440
confoundinga1450
jeofail1546
prostitution1567
lurch1584
worsting1607
unhorsing1608
supplantation1617
defeat1676
overset1789
punishment1811
overthrowal1862
beating1883
unhorsement1884
whoop-ass1974
1584 T. Lodge Alarum against Vsurers C ij b If heereafter thou fall into the lyke lurch,..so then I will accompt of thee as a reprobate.
1607 Merrie Iests George Peele 30 The Tapster hauing many of these lurches fell to decay.
1608 R. Armin Nest of Ninnies sig. D1v Often such forward deedes, meete with backward lurches.
1679 Heart & Right Soveraign 119 The Italian out-wits the Jew in his part, and the lurch befalls the English side.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)]
overcomeeOE
forecomec1000
overwieldlOE
masterc1225
overmaistrie1340
overmatcha1375
overpassa1382
surmount1390
to have the fairer (of)c1400
maistriec1400
overmasterc1425
winc1440
overc1485
bestride1526
rixlec1540
overreach1555
control1567
overmate1567
govern1593
to give (a person) the lurch1598
get1600
to gain cope of1614
top1633
to fetch overa1640
down1641
to have the whip hand (of)1680
carberry1692
to cut down1713
to be more than a match for1762
outflank1773
outmaster1799
outgeneral1831
weather1834
best1839
fore-reach1845
to beat a person at his (also her, etc.) own game1849
scoop1850
euchrec1866
bemaster1871
negotiate1888
to do down1900
to get (someone) wetc1926
lick1946
1598 E. Guilpin Skialetheia sig. B6 Gellia intic'd her good-man to the Citty, And often threatneth to giue him the lurch.
?c1600 Bride's Buriall 38 in Roxburghe Ballads (1871) I. 248 Faire Hellens face gaue Grecian Dames the lurch.
1626 N. Breton Pasquils Mad-cap (Grosart) 6/2 How ere his wit may giue the foole the lurch, He is not fit to gouerne in the Church.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > have or get (someone) at a disadvantage
to have at avail1470
to catch, have, hold, take (one) at (a or the) vantagec1510
to gain of1548
to be to the forehand with1558
to have (take) on (in, at) the lurch1591
to get the sun of1598
to have (also get) a good hand against1600
to take (have, etc.) at a why-nota1612
to weather on or upon1707
to have the laugh on a person1767
to have a (or the) pull of (also over, on)1781
to get to windward of1783
to have the bulge on1841
to give points to1854
to get (have) the drop on1869
to hold over1872
to have an (or the) edge on1896
to get (also have) the goods on1903
to get (or have) the jump on1912
to have (got) by the balls1918
1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 5 There was forty to one on my side, and ile haue you on the lurch by and by.
1601 J. Weever Mirror of Martyrs sig. Bviijv Shee..Sels lyes for nothing, nothing for too much; Faith for three farthings, t'haue thee in the lurch.
1615 T. Adams Blacke Devill 74 Thus the great Parasite of the soule, that heretofore..flatter'd this wretch with the paucity of his sinnes; now takes him in the lurch, and ouer-reckons him.
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry IV clx, in Poems (1878) IV. 41 The Sage Span of a Circle tooke the Starres at Lurch, To Conspire Storme.
1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth V. 3 He took me in the lurch.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > in or into subjection [phrase] > in or to a person's power
under (also beneath) the foot (or feet) ofeOE
at (also in) the mercy ofa1375
in (also at) (a person's) reverence1596
in a person's lurch1607
at (also occasionally in) mercya1616
1607 R. C. tr. H. Estienne World of Wonders 195 Hauing him in his lurch and at his lure.
1641 T. Goodwin Tryall Christians Growth i. 126 David, when he had Saul in his lurch, might as easily have cut off his head.
a1643 J. Shute Sarah & Hagar (1649) 93 They lose their authority when they come within the lurch of their servants.
e. to leave in the lurch: to leave in adverse circumstances without assistance; to leave in a position of unexpected difficulty.Cf. the somewhat earlier phr. to leave in the lash (see lash n.1 4).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > of difficulty: beset (a person) [verb (transitive)] > put (a person) in difficulty > leave in the lurch
lurch1530
to leave in the lash1573
to leave in the lurch1596
cart1889
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > deception by illusion, delusion > deceive, delude [verb (transitive)] > leave in the lurch
to leave in the lash1573
to leave in the lurch1596
lurcha1651
to give (one) the bag to hold1793
1596 T. Nashe Haue with you to Saffron-Walden sig. Q Whom..he also procured to be equally bound with him for his new cousens apparence to the law, which he neuer did, but left both of them in the lurtch for him.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. 222 The Volscians seeing themselves abandoned and left in the lurch by them,..quit the campe and field.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. iii. 220 And though th' art of a diff'rent Church, I will not leave thee in the lurch.
1694 R. South 12 Serm. II. 192 In Transubstantiation; where Accidents are left in the lurch by their proper Subject.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 119. ¶6 If the Country Gentlemen get into it they will certainly be left in the Lurch.
1873 E. FitzGerald Lett. (1889) I. 357 My Eyes have been leaving me in the lurch again.
1879 R. Browning Martin Relph 66 He has left his sweetheart here in the lurch.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > [noun] > instance or piece of
lurch1533
fool-finder1685
chouse1708
swindle1778
swindling1814
do1821
shave1834
steal1872
fiddle1874
diddle1885
ramp1888
tweedle1890
take-down1892
window dressing1892
gyp1898
bobol1907
flanker1923
hype1926
have-on1931
chizz1953
scam1963
rip-off1968
rip1971
1533 J. Heywood Mery Play Pardoner & Frere sig. B.iv No more of this wranglyng in my chyrch I shrewe your hartys bothe for this lurche.
c1540 Image Ipocrysy ii, in J. Skelton Poet. Wks. (1843) II. 432 They blered hym with a lurche.
1604 T. Middleton Blacke Bk. E iv I giue and bequeath to thee..All such Lurches, Gripes, and Squeezes, as may bee wrung out by the fist of extortion.
1611 R. Badley in T. Coryate Crudities sig. k2 Briefly, for triall of a religious lurch, Thou nimbd'st an image out of Brixias Church.
?1624 G. Chapman tr. Hymn to Hermes in tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 63 I'le haue a Scape, as well as he a Serch, And ouertake him with a greater lurch.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
lurchn.2
/ləːtʃ/, U.S. /lərtʃ/ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > processes or manners of eating > [noun] > outstripping others
lurch1568
lurching1570
1568 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Dial Princes (rev. ed.) iv. vii. 125 b And if perhaps a courtier come late, and the table be all ready full, and the lurch out, yet he will not be ashamed to eat his meat neuertheles. For albee it hee can not bee placed at his ease yet..rather than fayle he will syt of half a buttock.
2. to lie at (on, upon the) lurch: to lie concealed; to be in a lurking place; to lie in wait. literal and figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > lie in wait
siteOE
wait?c1225
aspya1250
awaita1250
keepc1275
to sit in wait(s)a1300
lurkc1300
bush1330
to lie at (the) waitc1440
to lie on waitc1440
to lie wait1445
lay one's wait1535
hugger1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
couch1582
ambuscade1592
to lie (also stand, stay, etc.) perdu1624
to lie at (or upon the) snap1631
ambush1638
to hole up1912
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > hide, lie or hidden [verb (intransitive)] > remain in hiding
lurkc1300
to hide one's headc1475
mitch1558
nestle1567
to lie at (on, upon the) lurch1578
to lay low1600
skulk1626
squat1658
to lie by1709
hide1872
to hole up1875
to lie low1880
to lie (also play) doggo1882
to hide out1884
to put the lid on1966
1578 O. Roydon in T. Proctor Gorgious Gallery Pref. Verses The drowsie Drones doo neuer take such toyle, But lye at lurch, like men of Momus minde.
1589 R. Robinson Golden Mirrour sig. D.4v Fained Friendship now layes on lurtch, his faithful friend to spil.
1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy Democritus to Rdr. 28 Another Epicurean company lying at lurch as so many vultures, watching for a prey of Church goods.
16.. Paradox xvii, in Third Collect. Poems (1689) 25 Or H——, that lyes upon the Lurch, Who left the Charters, shall restore the Church.
1762 O. Goldsmith Life R. Nash 146 He chiefly laboured to be thought a sayer of good things; and by frequent attempts was now and then successful, for he ever lay upon the lurch.
1860 J. P. Kennedy Mem. W. Wirt I. v. 68 The enemy of human happiness, always lying at lurch to make prey of the young.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
lurchn.3
/ləːtʃ/, U.S. /lərtʃ/ 1. (Originally Nautical.) A sudden leaning over to one side, as of a ship, a person staggering, etc. Also, a gait characterized by such movements. to give a lurch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > [noun] > manner of walking > unsteady
staggering1530
(to have) the staggers1599
stammering1607
lurch1819
lurching1852
dottiness1875
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > [noun] > lurching > a lurch
swag1660
latcha1687
stoit1808
lurch1819
wallop1820
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine Lee-larches, the sudden and violent rolls which a ship often takes to leeward in a high sea.]
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II xix. 128 Here the ship gave a lurch, and he grew sea-sick.
1843 A. Bethune Sc. Peasant's Fire-side 35 The heavy lurch, told too plainly what he had been about.
1848 J. Grant Adventures Aide-de-camp I. iv. 47 As the carriage swayed from side to side, I expected at every lurch, that the whole party would be upset.
1863 S. Baring-Gould Iceland 266 They got the vessel afloat, and with a lurch, she ran out to sea.
1876 W. Besant & J. Rice Golden Butterfly I. i. 50 There was the slightest possible lurch in their walk.
1901 Speaker 6 Apr. 10/2 We were soon clattering over cobbled streets with an ample lurch at intervals.
2. U.S. A propensity, penchant, leaning.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > existence > state or condition > tendency > [noun] > a tendency
spirita1425
inclination1526
bias?1571
vein1585
habitude1603
ply1605
nitency1662
result1663
tend1663
penchant1673
nisus1699
hank1721
squint1736
patent1836
subjectivism1845
lurch1854
biasness1872
tilt1975
1854 M. Cummins Lamplighter xv. 92 She has a nateral lurch for it [learning], and it comes easy to her.
1878 A. Phelps in E. S. Phelps Memoir (1891) 219 I think I got from Professor Stuart and Albert Barnes, both of whom were penurious letter-writers, a lurch adverse to such work.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
lurchv.1
/ləːtʃ/, U.S. /lərtʃ/ a. intransitive. To remain in or about a place furtively or secretly, esp. with evil design. (Cf. forestall v. 1.) Also, ? to avoid company, ? to sulk. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > stealthy action, stealth > lurking, skulking > lurk, skulk [verb (intransitive)]
loutc825
atlutienc1000
darec1000
lotea1200
skulk?c1225
lurkc1300
luskc1330
tapisc1330
lurchc1420
filsnec1440
lour?c1450
slink?c1550
mitch1558
jouk1575
scout1577
scult1622
meecha1625
tappy1706
slive1707
slinge1747
snake1818
cavern1860
c1420 Chron. Vilod. 1377 Þen come þe sexsten to serche þe chirche,..& sey hem in an hyron þere so lorche.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Pivv/1 To Lurche, latitare.
1575 R. B. Apius & Virginia E j b Then gallope to see where her father doth lurche.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xix. 176 For when he is merry, she lurcheth and she loures, When he is sad she singes, or laughes it out by houres.
1602 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor ii. ii. 25 I my selfe..am faine to shuffel, to filch & to lurch.
1630 J. Taylor Wks. ii. 117/1 There's a crue of Thieues that prie and lurch, And steale and share the liuings of the Church.
a1652 R. Brome Novella ii. ii. sig. I8, in Five New Playes (1653) I'le turne you off..To lurch i'th' night betwixt eleaven and two To rob and drown for prey.
a1677 I. Barrow Of Love of God (1680) 194 Not at least to be as a Fox, or a Wolf; either cunningly lurching, or violently ravening for prey.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables xii. 12 While the One was upon Wing, the Other stood Lurching upon the Ground, and flew away with the Fish.
1727 W. Somerville Dainty New Ballad 14 For Love, that little urchin About this widow lurching, Had slily fix'd his dart.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. vi. x. 293 The Son of a Whore came lurching about the House. View more context for this quotation
1790 H. T. Potter New Dict. Cant & Flash (1795) Lurch, to lay by, to sneak, to hang on.
b. Of greyhounds: (See quot. 1897).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > work done by hounds > action of hounds [verb (intransitive)] > other actions of hounds
to be at bayc1515
blemish1575
to give the hare a turn1575
wrench1686
lurch1824
meuse1827
stream1849
smeuse1851
water1855
to run into shot1884
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dogs used for specific purposes > [verb (intransitive)] > of dog: leave most of work in hunt to others
lurch1897
1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XVI lxxx. 104 Whose hounds ne'er erred, nor greyhounds deigned to lurch.
1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports (ed. 2) i. iii. ii. §3. 155 [Greyhounds.] Remember that too much knowledge or cleverness soon leads to lurching.
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 210/1 Lurching, of the greyhound; running cunning, and leaving the most part of the work to its opponent.
2. transitive. To get the start of (a person) so as to prevent him from obtaining a fair share of food, profit, etc. In later use, to defraud, cheat, rob. Obsolete exc. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > of difficulty: beset (a person) [verb (transitive)] > put (a person) in difficulty > leave in the lurch
lurch1530
to leave in the lash1573
to leave in the lurch1596
cart1889
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > precede or come before [verb (transitive)] > anticipate or forestall
before-takea1382
preventc1425
devance1485
prevenea1500
lurch1530
to take before the bounda1556
to be aforehand with1570
to be beforehand with1574
to meet halfwaya1586
preoccupate1588
forestall1589
fore-run1591
surprise1591
antedate1595
foreprise1597
preoccupy1607
preoccupy1638
pre-act1655
anticipatea1682
obviate1712
to head off1841
beat1847
to beat out1893
pre-empt1957
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > perpetrate (a swindle) [verb (transitive)] > defraud or swindle
defraud1362
deceivec1380
plucka1500
lurch1530
defeata1538
souse1545
lick1548
wipe1549
fraud1563
use1564
cozen1573
nick1576
verse1591
rooka1595
trim1600
skelder1602
firk1604
dry-shave1620
fiddle1630
nose1637
foista1640
doa1642
sharka1650
chouse1654
burn1655
bilk1672
under-enter1692
sharp1699
stick1699
finger1709
roguea1714
fling1749
swindle1773
jink1777
queer1778
to do over1781
jump1789
mace1790
chisel1808
slang1812
bucket1819
to clean out1819
give it1819
to put in the hole1819
ramp1819
sting1819
victimize1839
financier1840
gum1840
snakea1861
to take down1865
verneuk1871
bunco1875
rush1875
gyp1879
salt1882
daddle1883
work1884
to have (one) on toast1886
slip1890
to do (a person) in the eye1891
sugar1892
flay1893
to give (someone) the rinky-dink1895
con1896
pad1897
screw1900
short-change1903
to do in1906
window dress1913
ream1914
twist1914
clean1915
rim1918
tweedle1925
hype1926
clip1927
take1927
gazump1928
yentz1930
promote1931
to take (someone) to the cleaners1932
to carve up1933
chizz1948
stiff1950
scam1963
to rip off1969
to stitch up1970
skunk1971
to steal (someone) blind1974
diddle-
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > from the attainment of something > by acting before another can
lurch1530
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > treat fraudulently, cheat [verb (transitive)] > obtain fraudulently
wilea1400
lurch1530
fox1596
shirk1635
rook1647
trick1662
pigeon1675
sharp1699
cheat1712
fob1792
snakea1861
wangle1888
slip1890
finagle1926
skuldug1936
swizz1961
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 616/1 I lurtche, as one dothe his felowes at meate with eatynge to hastyly, je briffe. Syt nat at his messe, for he wyll lurtche you than.
1568 Abp. M. Parker Let. 5 Oct. in Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 337 I pray your honour be a mean that Jugge only may have the preferment of this edition; for if any other should lurch him to steal from him these copies, he were a great loser.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 11v Yong Coltes with thy wennels together go serue, least lurched by others, they happen to sterue.
1592 ‘C. Cony-Catcher’ Def. Conny-catching sig. B4 Was not this an old Cony-catcher..that could lurtch a poore Conie of so many thousands at one time?
1604 T. Middleton Ant & Nightingale sig. Fv Where like villanous cheating Bowlers, they lurcht me of two of my best Limbes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) ii. ii. 101 And in the brunt of seuenteene Battailes since, He lurcht all Swords of the Garland. View more context for this quotation
1616 B. Jonson Epicœne v. iv, in Wks. I. 599 You haue lurch'd your friends of the better halfe of the garland. View more context for this quotation
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake vi. 249 And 'tis right of his office poor laymen to lurch, Who infringe the domains of our good mother Church.
a. To be beforehand in securing (something); to consume (food) hastily so that others cannot have their share; to engross, monopolize (commodities); in later use, to get hold of by stealth, pilfer, filch, steal. (Cf. forestall v. 2.) Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > taking possession > take possession of [verb (transitive)] > beforehand
prevent1563
lurchc1565
preoccupate1586
anticipate1594
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > petty theft or pilfering > pilfer [verb (transitive)]
mitcha1393
pelfa1400
purloinc1475
prowl?1529
finger1530
pilfer1532
lurchc1565
filch1567
filch1574
proloyne1581
nim1606
hook1615
truff1718
snaffle1725
crib1735
pettifog1759
magg1762
niffle1785
cabbage1793
weed1811
nibble1819
cab1825
smouch1826
snuga1859
mooch1862
attract1891
souvenir1897
rat1906
snipe1909
promote1918
salvage1918
smooch1941
c1565 Disc. Common Weal Eng. (1893) i. 32 Ye lurched some of the coyne as sone as euer ye perceived the price of that to be enhaunced.
1568 V. Skinner tr. R. González de Montes Discouery Inquisition of Spayne f. 39v Some of ye meat which he had lurched from the prisoners.
1587 G. Turberville Tragicall Tales f. 13v Her christall eyes had lurcht his yeelding heart.
1599 Master Broughtons Lett. Answered viii. 28 Bel his priests priuily lurched the viands, which were supposed to be deuoured by the Idoll.
1613 F. Robartes Revenue of Gospel (title page) The sacred offering broyles: the eagle spies, A gob she lurch'd, and to her young she flies.
1622 S. Ward Christ All in All (1627) 31 Oh how difficult is this for vs, not to lurch some part of the praise.
1625 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 258 Too farre off from great Cities, which may hinder Businesse; Or too neare them, which Lurcheth all Prouisions, and maketh euery Thing deare.
1630 in tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdoms World (rev. ed.) To Rdr. sig. A ij How much hath that..Plagiarie..closely lurcht out of this Author?
1642 J. Vicars God in Mount 45 Clergie-trash, who lay lurking in the Bee-hives of the Church, and lurching-away the sweet honey from the laborious Bees.
1660 J. Milton Readie Way Free Commonw. (ed. 2) 67 If we can keep us from the fond conceit..put lately into many mens heads, by som one or other sutly driving on under that notion his own ambitious ends to lurch a crown.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > petty theft or pilfering > pilfer [verb (intransitive)]
pelfa1400
picka1555
befilch1566
filch1567
pilch1573
lurch1593
purloin1611
nim1622
shirk1709
pilfer1729
maraud1770
souvenir1897
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > defraud or swindle [verb (intransitive)]
to pull a finchc1386
to bore a person's nose?1577
to wipe a person's nose1577
verse1591
lurch1593
to grope a gull1594
cheat1647
to lick (another's) fingers1656
to live upon the shark1694
sharp1709
fineer1765
to pluck a pigeon1769
swindle1769
to run a game1894
to sell (a person) a pup1901
scam1963
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > act fraudulently, cheat [verb (intransitive)]
faitc1330
defraudc1384
to take (the) advantagea1393
false1393
halt1412
haft1519
juggle1528
wily beguile1550
foist1584
lurch1593
fog1621
imposture1624
rook1637
impone1640
cheat1647
chicane1671
humbug1753
fineer1765
gag1781
mountebank1814
jockeya1835
sniggle1837
barney1848
straw1851
honeyfuggle1856
skinch1891
finagle1926
1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares f. 32v The Sonne could scarce refraine from byting out his Fathers throate-boule, when he saw him swallow downe a bitte that he dyde for. The Mother lurcht from them both.
a1627 T. Middleton Chast Mayd in Cheape-side (1630) iii. 33 See how they lurch at the lower end.
1640 Bp. J. Hall Christian Moderation i. 104 Wherein had he been a thiefe, if he had not..meant to lurch out of the common Treasury?
4. To catch (rabbits) by means of lurchers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting specific animals > [verb (transitive)] > hunt rabbits > with lurchers
lurch1727
1727 W. Mather Young Man's Compan. (ed. 13) 12 He lurches Conies. [Given as an example of the word.]
1798 Sporting Mag. 12 99 There are many ways of killing rabbits, of which lurching is in most common use.
Compounds
ΚΠ
c1670 P. Langdale in J. Tickell Hist. Kingston upon Hull (1796) III. 753 When a man who is in holy orders, goes voluntarily, and preaches in a church to which he was never presented, instituted and inducted; our law gives him no title to the tythes, but calls him a lurch church.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fowling > fowling equipment > [noun] > net > poles or lines for nets
lurch-line1578
star1851
1578 T. Blenerhasset 2nd Pt. Mirrour for Magistrates King Harolde xii Let hym go beate the bushe, I and my men to the lurche line will steale, And pluck the Net.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > petty thief or pilferer > [noun]
mitcher?c1225
nimmera1325
pilferer1350
truffer1485
lurcher1528
picker1549
filcher1557
purloiner1557
prig1567
prigger1567
prigman1567
fingerer1575
piker1590
prag1592
nibbler1598
lurch-man1603
petty larcener1640
budge1673
catch-cloaka1679
prigster1682
sutler1699
marauder1764
snib1823
chicken thief1840
lurker1841
souvenir hunter1862
robberling1865
jackdaw1887
miker1890
frisker1892
bower-bird1926
jagoff1931
magpie1944
slockster-
1603 N. Breton Merrie Dialogue 26 Those may rather be called lurch men, then Church-men, who as they are not troubled with much learning, so they have no more honesty, then they may well away withall.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
lurchv.2
/ləːtʃ/, U.S. /lərtʃ/ 1.
a. transitive. To beat, in various games of skill, sometimes by a specified number or proportion of points. (See lurch n.1 2.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > winning, losing, or scoring > win, lose, or score [verb (transitive)] > win > defeat
overplayc1460
smother1676
lurch1678
outplay1702
thrash1789
defeat1830
spreadeagle1832
thresh1852
whitewash1867
blank1870
annihilate1886
nip1893
slam1907
plaster1919
skittle1919
rip1927
maul1928
demolish1938
massacre1940
trounce1942
hammer1948
murder1952
to shut out1952
zilch1957
zip1964
trip1974
c1350 [implied in: MS. Reg. 13 A. xviii. f. 158 Lurchyng [given as one of two modes of winning at the ‘long game’ at tables, the other being ‘lympoldyng’]. (at lurching n.2)].
1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 154 Your old Foe, the Hangman, Was like to lurch you at Back-gammon.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Lurched, beaten at any Game.
1760 S. Foote Minor i. 31 Lurch me at four, but I was mark'd to the top of your tick, by the baron, my dear.
1763 E. Hoyle Piquet 150 It is about two to one that the Eldest-hand does not lurch the Younger-hand.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (at cited word) Those who lose a game of whist without scoring five are said to be lurched.
1830 R. Hardie Hoyle made Familiar 61 [Cassino.] Lurched, is when your adversary has won the game, before you have gained six points.
b. figurative. To defeat. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > overcome or defeat
shendc893
overwinOE
overheaveOE
mate?c1225
to say checkmatea1346
vanquishc1366
stightlea1375
outrayc1390
to put undera1393
forbeat1393
to shave (a person's) beardc1412
to put to (also at, unto) the (also one's) worsec1425
adawc1440
supprisec1440
to knock downc1450
to put to the worsta1475
waurc1475
convanquish1483
to put out1485
trima1529
convince1548
foil1548
whip1571
evict1596
superate1598
reduce1605
convict1607
defail1608
cast1610
banga1616
evince1620
worst1646
conquer1655
cuffa1657
trounce1657
to ride down1670
outdo1677
routa1704
lurcha1716
fling1790
bowl1793
lick1800
beat1801
mill1810
to row (someone) up Salt River1828
defeat1830
sack1830
skunk1832
whop1836
pip1838
throw1850
to clean out1858
take1864
wallop1865
to sock it to1877
whack1877
to clean up1888
to beat out1893
to see off1919
to lower the boom on1920
tonk1926
clobber1944
ace1950
to run into the ground1955
a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) XI. 289 He will be lurched in that that admits of no after-game or reparation.
1829 Examiner 354/2 Chancery Reform was lurched the week before last.
2. To leave in the lurch, disappoint, deceive. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > deception by illusion, delusion > deceive, delude [verb (transitive)] > leave in the lurch
to leave in the lash1573
to leave in the lurch1596
lurcha1651
to give (one) the bag to hold1793
a1651 C. Love in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1872) III. Ps. lxii. 10 How many have riches served as Absalom's mule served her master, whom she lurched, and left..hanging.
1665 R. South Serm. preached before Court 27 Putting such an emptiness in them, as should so quickly fail and lurch the expectation.
1727 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. II Lurching, leaving a Person under some embarrassment.
1791 J. Wolcot Apol. for Kings in Wks. (1816) II. 246 This little anecdote doth plainly show That ignorance, a king too often lurches.
1809 E. S. Barrett Setting Sun II. 109 The Hon. Charles James Fox,..having been lurched by lord North, turned his face to Whiggism.
1810 Sporting Mag. 36 68 They are foiled by fortune, who hath lurched generals in her time.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
lurchv.3
/ləːtʃ/, U.S. /lərtʃ/ (Originally Nautical.)figurative.1858 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia I. v. ii. 556 The Kaiser's Imperial Ostend East-India Company..made Europe lurch from side to side in a terrific manner.
1. intransitive. Of a ship, etc.: To make a lurch; to lean suddenly over to one side; to move with lurches.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > action or motion of vessel > [verb (intransitive)] > jerk suddenly
seela1618
lurch1834
surge1845
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. xv. 230 We heeled over so much when we lurched, that the guns were wholly supported by the breechings and tackles.
1845 R. Cobbold Hist. M. Catchpole II. xx. 50 The boat lurched through the breakers like a log.
1866 J. M. Neale Sequences & Hymns 37 Tempests of temptations Made our vessel lurch and dip.
1902 Speaker 9 Sept. 601/1 It lurches up and down like a ship at sea.
2. To move suddenly, unsteadily, and without purpose in any direction, as, e.g. a person staggering.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > move unsteadily [verb (intransitive)]
hobblec1330
wave1406
stamperc1450
fleet15..
titubate1540
wamble1589
tilt1594
vacillate1598
waggle1611
wimple1819
wangle1820
waver1841
lurch1851
woggle1871
teeter1904
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > unsteady movement > move unsteadily [verb (intransitive)] > lurch
wrickc1305
swagger1724
ricket1827
lurch1851
stumble1873
to play stoit1881
to play stoiter1890
1851 D. G. Mitchell Fresh Gleanings 16 My London beaver..lurched over and fell among them.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists v. 227 Where the tipsy trainband-man is lurching against the post.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh I. 263 The dogs lurched violently forward.
1879 W. D. Howells Lady of Aroostook ii. 12 These men lurched in their gait with an uncouth heaviness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1903; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.11533
n.21568n.31819v.1c1420v.2c1350v.31834