~ 1
■ noun a sudden unsteady movement.
■ verb make such a movement; stagger.
Origin
C17: of unknown origin.
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~ 2
■ noun (in phr. leave someone in the ~ ) leave someone in a difficult situation without assistance or support.
Origin
C16: from Fr. lourche , the name of a game resembling backgammon, used in the phr. demeurer lourche 'be discomfited'.