luncheon
pronunciation
How to pronounce luncheon in British English:
UK [ˈlʌntʃən]
How to pronounce luncheon in American English:
US [ˈlʌntʃən]
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- Noun:
- a midday meal
Word Origin
- 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 Spanish lonja "a slice," literally "loin"), blended with or influenced by nuncheon (Middle English nonechenche, mid-14c.) "light mid-day meal," from none "noon" (see noon) + schench "drink," from Old English 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, etc. Especially in reference to an early afternoon meal eaten by those who have a noontime dinner.
Example
- 1. Address to the economic society of australia ( queensland ) 2011 business luncheon
- 2. So we don 't know if mr. dylan will attend the pulitzer luncheon in new york on may 29 .
- 3. Half-way through luncheon one of those shivers ; bob stares at her , spoon in mouth .
- 4. But the question resurfaced at a big symposium luncheon in hong kong in november .
- 5. An item bequeathed to the national maritime museum in greenwich , england , by walter lord shows the titanic luncheon menu signed by survivors of the titanic .