binge
UK[bɪndʒ]US[bɪndʒ]
v
to do something, especially eat or drink, to an excessive degree for a short period
n
a short period of excessive indulgence in an activity, especially eating, drinking, or watching television
Etymology
the origin of 'binge' is somewhat obscure but is believed to have emerged from english dialects in the mid-19th century, possibly related to the dialect word 'binge' meaning 'to soak'. this literal sense of soaking a wooden vessel to prevent leakage evolved metaphorically into the idea of soaking oneself in drink, leading to the modern meaning of excessive consumption. its journey from a practical, concrete action to describing a period of immoderate indulgence illustrates a classic path of semantic broadening. the word gained widespread use in the 20th century, particularly with the rise of terms like 'binge-eating' and 'binge-watching'.
Analysis
the word 'binge' is a simplex word. it is likely derived from an english dialectal word meaning 'to soak'.
Examples
he tends to binge on junk food when he's stressed.
they went on a weekend binge and watched two entire seasons of the show.
health experts warn about the dangers of binge drinking.