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Webster 1913 Edition


Lucern

Lu′cern

,
Noun.
[Etymology uncertain.]
[Obs.]
1.
A sort of hunting dog; – perhaps from Lucerne, in Switzerland.
My
lucerns
, too, or dogs inured to hunt
Beasts of most rapine.
Chapman.
2.
An animal whose fur was formerly much in request (by some supposed to be the lynx).
[Written also
lusern
and
luzern
.]
The polecat, mastern, and the richskinned
lucern

I know to chase.
Beau. & Fl.

Lu′cern

,
Noun.
[F.
luzerne
.]
(Bot.)
A leguminous plant (
Medicago sativa
), having bluish purple cloverlike flowers, cultivated for fodder; – called also
alfalfa
.
[Written also
lucerne
.]

Lu′cern

,
Noun.
[L.
lucerna
.]
A lamp.
[Obs.]
Lydgate.

Webster 1828 Edition


Lucern

LU'CERN

,
Noun.
A plant of the genus Medicago, cultivated for fodder.

Definition 2024


lucern

lucern

English

Noun

lucern (plural lucerns)

  1. (obsolete) A lamp.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Lydgate to this entry?)

Etymology 2

French luzerne.

Noun

lucern (uncountable)

  1. Alternative form of lucerne (the plant alfalfa)

Etymology 3

Uncertain; possibly from Lucerne in Switzerland.

Noun

lucern (plural lucerns)

  1. (obsolete) A sort of hunting dog.
    • Chapman
      My lucerns, too, or dogs inured to hunt / Beasts of most rapine.
  2. (obsolete) An animal whose fur was formerly much in request (by some supposed to be the lynx); also spelled lusern or luzern.
    • Beaumont and Fletcher
      The polecat, mastern, and the rich-skinned lucern / I know to chase.