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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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