lungs
|lungs|
A1
/lʌŋ/
(lung)
respiratory organ
Etymology
Etymology Information
'lung' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'lunge' or 'lungen', meaning the breathing organ.
Historical Evolution
'lung' changed from the Old English word 'lungen' to Middle English 'lunge'/'lung(e)' and eventually became the modern English word 'lung'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'the breathing organ', and over time it has retained essentially the same meaning in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the pair of respiratory organs in the chest of humans and many animals; responsible for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide (gas exchange).
The doctor listened to his lungs.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/01 20:12