- lurch
- {{11}}lurch (n.1) "sudden pitch to one side," 1784, from earlier lee-larches (1765), a nautical term for "the sudden roll which a ship makes to lee-ward in a high sea, when a large wave strikes her, and bears her weather-side violently up, which depresses the other in proportion" ["Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences," London 1765]; perhaps from Fr. lacher "to let go," from L. laxus (see LAX (Cf. lax)).When a Ship is brought by the Lee, it is commonly occaЕїsioned by a large Sea, and by the Neglect of the Helm's-man. When the Wind is two or three Points on the Quarter, the Ship taking a Lurch, brings the Wind on the other Side, and lays the Sails all dead to the MaЕїt; as the Yards are braced up, Еїhe then having no Way, and the Helm being of no Service, I would therefore brace about the Head Еїails Еїharp the other Way .... [John Hamilton Moore, Practical Navigator, 8th ed., 1784]{{12}}lurch (n.2) "predicament," 1580s, from M.E. lurch (v.) "to beat in a game of skill (often by a great many points)," mid-14c., probably lit. "to make a complete victory in lorche," a game akin to backgammon, from O.Fr. lourche. The game name is perhaps related to M.E. lurken, lorken "to lie hidden, lie in ambush," or it may be adopted into French from M.H.G. lurz "left," also "wrong."{{12}}lurch (v.) 1821, from LURCH (Cf. lurch) (n.1). Related: Lurched; lurching.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.