"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.
双语例句
1. Promptly at one, luncheon was served.
午饭一到一点钟就上桌了。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Luncheon will be served at one, Madam.
夫人，午餐在一点钟开始。
来自《权威词典》
3. A casserole was already in the oven cooking gently for luncheon.
焙盘菜已放在烤箱里慢慢煨着等午饭时吃.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. We have luncheon at twelve o'clock.
我们十二点钟用午餐.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. They allow no substitutions on the club luncheon.
