luncheon

luncheon
luncheon (n.) "light repast between mealtimes," 1650s (lunching; spelling luncheon by 1706); earlier "thick piece, hunk," 1570s (luncheon), of uncertain origin. Perhaps northern English dialectal lunch "hunk of bread or cheese" (1580s; probably from Sp. lonja "a slice," lit. "loin"), blended with or influenced by NUNCHEON (Cf. nuncheon) (M.E. nonechenche, mid-14c.) "light mid-day meal," from none "noon" (see NOON (Cf. noon)) + schench "drink," from O.E. scenc, from scencan "pour out."
Despite the form lunching in the 1650s source OED discounts that it possibly could be from lunch (v.), which is much later. It suggests perhaps an analogy with TRUNCHEON (Cf. truncheon), etc. Especially in reference to an early afternoon meal eaten by those who have a noontime DINNER (Cf. dinner).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР
Synonyms:
, ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Luncheon — Luncheon, commonly abbreviated to lunch, is a midday meal. [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=lunch searchmode=none Online Etymology Dictionary] ] In English speaking countries during the eighteenth century what was originally called… …   Wikipedia

  • Luncheon — Lunch eon, n. [Prov. E. luncheon, lunchion, lunshin, a large lump of food, fr. lunch. See {Lunch}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A lump of food. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster] 2. A portion of food taken at any time except at a regular meal. [obsolescnet] [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Luncheon — Lunch eon, v. i. To take luncheon. Beaconsfield. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Luncheon — (englisch, spr. Lontschen, Lunch frühstück), s.u. Frühstück …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Luncheon — (lontschen), engl., Frühstück …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • luncheon — ► NOUN formal ▪ lunch. ORIGIN originally in the sense «thick piece, hunk»: possibly from Spanish lonja slice …   English terms dictionary

  • luncheon — [lun′chən] n. [earlier lunchion, lunshin < LUNCH, prob. after dial. nuncheon, a snack, lunch < ME nonachenche, lit., noon drink] a lunch; esp., a formal lunch with others …   English World dictionary

  • luncheon — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ buffet ▪ annual ▪ awards ▪ anniversary, business, literary (all esp. BrE) ▪ …   Collocations dictionary

  • luncheon — [[t]lʌ̱ntʃən[/t]] luncheons 1) N COUNT A luncheon is a formal lunch, for example to celebrate an important event or to raise money for charity. Earlier this month, a luncheon for former UN staff was held in Vienna. 2) N VAR Luncheon is the meal… …   English dictionary

  • luncheon — lunch, luncheon Lunch is now the standard word for a midday meal, and luncheon seems affectedly formal (and the commercial term luncheon voucher is fast disappearing) …   Modern English usage

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”