lorgner

to ogle, to eye covetously

verb lor-NYEH Rare

Origin: from lorgne, squinting

Also means

to covet

Usage Note

Lorgner conveys a sideways or surreptitious glance motivated by desire or envy, stronger than simply looking. You can lorgner a person (with attraction) or a prize, a position, or an object (with ambition). The related noun lorgnon is an old-fashioned pince-nez monocle or lorgnette.

Examples

"Il lorgnait la part de gâteau restante."

Natural Translation

He was eyeing the remaining slice of cake.

Literal Translation

He was-eyeing the slice of cake remaining.

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