▪ I. ˈlurching, vbl. n.1
[f. lurch v.1 + -ing1.]
The action of lurch v.1
1. † a. The forestalling of others of their food (obs.). b. Pilfering, stealing.
| 1573 Tusser Husb. lxxxviii. (1878) 178 No lurching, no snatching, no striuing at all, lest one go without and another haue all. 1611 Cotgr., Fortraction, a lurching, purloyning; withdrawing. 1616 Boys Wks. (1629) 844 Is not..the denying of the cup a notorious lurching at the Lord's Table? |
2. The capturing of rabbits by means of lurchers.
| 1798 Sporting Mag. XII. 99 There are many ways of killing rabbits, of which lurching is in most common use. |
3. Comb.: † lurching-place, a lurking place.
| a 1656 Ussher Ann. vi. (1658) 573 There were so many lurching places, by reason of which, they could easily escape when assaulted. |
▪ II. ˈlurching, vbl. n.2
[f. lurch v.2 + -ing1.]
The gaining of a ‘lurch’ at play, esp. whist, piquet, etc.
| c 1350 MS. Reg. 13 A. xviii. fol. 158 Lurchyng [given as one of two modes of winning at the ‘long game’ at tables, the other being ‘lympoldyng’]. 1763 Hoyle Piquet 125 The lurching of your Adversary..is so material that [etc.]. 1767 Connossieur No. 60 (ed. 5) II. 192 A school for Whist would [teach] lurching,..finessing,..and getting the odd trick. |
▪ III. ˈlurching, vbl. n.3
[f. lurch v.3 + -ing1.]
The action of lurch v.3
| 1852 Pfeiffer Journ. Iceland 53 The lurching and pitching of the ship had covered it with traces of everything which had been on the table. 1880 E. Marshall Troub. Times iii. 244, I had a sudden wrench by the lurching of my horse. |
▪ IV. ˈlurching, ppl. a.1
[f. lurch v.1 + -ing2.]
† 1. Given to or characterized by forestalling others at meals, gluttonous. Also, pilfering. Obs.
| 1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. Ep. Ded. in Holinshed, Loath also in lurching wise to forstall anie man his travell, I was contented to leave them thumping in the forge, and quietlie repair to my usuall studies. 1619 Denison Heavenly Banq. 127 This condemnes that lurching sacrifice, wherein oft times the Priest giues none to others, but retains al to himself. 1620 Venner Via Recta viii. 167 All strange and confused sauces..abandon, as..acceptable onely to lurching and deuouring Belly-gods. 1655 tr. Com. Hist. Francion x. 23 Ah these are close lurching Companions. These are the Nimmers who would rob me of all my moveables. |
2. Of a dog (see lurch v.1 1, 1 b, 4; the sense in the quots. is uncertain).
| 1613 Uncasing of Machivil's Instr. 25 A lurching Dog will range about the fields. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet let. x, My friend Benjie's lurching attendant..began to cock his tail. 1871 Daily News 5 Jan., A lurching cur who gnawed something under a waggon. |
3. Lurking, ‘sneaking’.
| 1661 K. W. Conf. Charac., A Baily (1860) 41 The wals should discover his lerching knavery. 1865 S. Evans Bro. Fabian 5 A lurching, lean-lipped, lollardizing loon. |
▪ V. ˈlurching, ppl. a.2
[f. lurch v.2 + -ing2.]
In senses of lurch v.2 a. That wins a ‘lurch’ at a game. b. Given to deceiving, perfidious.
| 1604 T. M. Black Bk. in Middleton's Wks. (Bullen) VIII. 30 In came I with a lurching cast [of the dice], and made them all swear round again. 1728 Vanbr. & Cibber Prov. Husb. i. i. 17 A married Woman may..throw a familiar Levant upon some sharp lurching Man of Quality. |
▪ VI. ˈlurching, ppl. a.3
[f. lurch v.3 + -ing2.]
That lurches or leans suddenly over.
| 1884 ‘Hugh Conway’ Called Back 12 A staggering, uncertain, lurching kind of step. 1892 G. Lascelles Falconry (Badm. Libr.) 225 Whilst the falcons are fine-tempered generous birds,..the hawks are shifting, lurching fliers. 1895 Daily News 18 Dec. 5/4 The lurching movement and recoil of the ship prevented him. 1901 Blackw. Mag. June 751/2 The Devons tramp after over the lurching pontoon. |
Hence ˈlurchingly adv.
| 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. II. iv. v, It lumbers along, lurchingly with stress, at a snail's pace. 1851 H. Melville Whale xxx. 142 Ahab lurchingly paced the planks. |