verb

lorgner

eye

Definition & meaning

The verb lorgner primarily refers to the act of looking at someone or something with insistent or curious attention. It often implies a sense of indiscretion, desire, or envy.

There are two common ways this verb is used:

To eye or gaze at: To look at someone or something attentively, often with the intention of observing them without being noticed, or looking at them with desire (e.g., coveting an object).
To eye up/look towards (a goal): To set one's sights on something, such as a position, an object, or an outcome that one aspires to obtain.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

It is a regular first-group verb (-er).
It is a transitive verb (it takes a direct object).

Origin:

It is derived from the French noun lorgne (an old term for an eye, specifically an eye that squints or looks sideways), which comes from the Old French lorgne (squinting). It is also related to the noun lorgnette, which refers to a small pair of opera glasses used for viewing.