lodged

Lodged is the past participle of the verb lodge and, as an adjective, describes something that is stuck or fixed firmly in a location. When used this way, it often implies an obstruction or a position that is difficult to remove, such as a foreign object lodged in tissue or a debris particle lodged in a pipe.

In practical usage, lodged can refer to physical situations in various contexts. In medicine or biology, a bullet or splinter may be described as lodged in tissue or a stone lodged in a duct. In mechanical or industrial settings, debris or components can become lodged in machinery or openings, hindering function. The term can also describe a position or arrangement that is securely set, as in a tool or component that has become lodged in place.

Lodged also appears in administrative language. To lodge a complaint or an appeal means to formally file it with an authority or institution. This usage emphasizes an official act of presenting a grievance or request for review, rather than a physical fixation.

Etymology reflects the broader sense of the word. The verb lodge comes from Old French loger, meaning to shelter or provide lodging, and the sense of fixation or obstruction later developed as the meaning of become lodged in a fixed place. The related noun lodging shares the same origin and general idea of shelter or staying in a place.