lounge English · revision 15082

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=1508}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /laʊndʒ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a Scottish word of uncertain or unknown origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) Barnhart suggests [[fr|s'allonger|t=to stretch out, lie at full length]], from [[fro|alongier|t=to lengthen]], from [[la|longus|t=long]] (see [[long]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Another etymology goes through obsolete lungis, a slow, lazy person (about 1560), from [[frm|longis|t=an idle dreamer]], from the name of Longinus, the centurion of the mystery plays.^(Etymonline) The NODE thinks it perhaps imitates slow movement.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To move indolently, to loll: 1508, in Scots.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To recline lazily is from 1746.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The noun, a place for lounging, is from 1775, in Sheridan's The Rivals;^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) a pastime from 1788,^(OED 1989) and the act of lounging from 1806.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A sofa for lying at full length is from 1830,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and the drawing room of a house or the sitting room of a hotel from 1881.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) The ''lounge suit'' is from 1893,^(OED 1989) and the ''lounge lizard'', at first a man who hung about tea rooms to flirt, by 1917.^(Etymonline) In northern dialect a lounge was a large lump or slice, as of bread.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1508 – to loll (Scots).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1746 – to recline lazily.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1775 – a place for lounging.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1830 – a sofa.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1881 – a sitting room.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * by 1917 – lounge lizard.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To sit, lie or stand in a relaxed, lazy way; to [[loll]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To pass time idly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A public room for waiting or relaxing, as in a hotel or airport.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(chiefly British)'' A living room in a private house.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+ # ''(British)'' A [[lounge bar]], the more comfortable bar of a pub or hotel.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A couch or sofa.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[lounger]]

+ * [[loungy]]

+ * [[loungewear]]

+ * [[lounge car]]

+ * [[lounge suit]]

+ * [[chaise lounge]]

+ * [[cocktail lounge]]

+ * [[lounge chair]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[long]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}