abalanzar
to lunge
verb ah-bah-lahn-SAHR Rare
Origin: From a- + balanza (balance/scale), suggesting a sudden tipping forward.
Also means
to rush at
Usage Note
Abalanzar is most commonly used reflexively as abalanzarse sobre — to throw oneself at or rush toward something or someone. The non-reflexive form is rare outside technical contexts. It is a regular -ar verb but note the spelling change: abalance (subjunctive/imperative) to keep the soft 's' sound before -e.
Examples
"El gato se abalanzó sobre el ratón."
Natural Translation
The cat lunged at the mouse.
Literal Translation
The cat itself-lunged upon the mouse.
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