To make a sudden forward thrust of the body, typically to attack or reach something quickly.
From French 'allonger' meaning 'to lengthen, extend', which became 'longe' in fencing terminology. The word entered English in the 18th century through fencing, where it described a specific attacking movement.
The lunge in fencing is so fundamental that it's taught as one of the first moves, yet mastering its timing and distance can take years. The word has expanded from its martial origins to describe any sudden forward movement, from animals pouncing to people reaching for something.
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