/ˈslɪŋ/
OriginFrom Middle English slynge (noun), slyngen (verb), probably from Old Norse slyngja, slyngva (“to hurl”), from Proto-Germanic *slingwaną (“to worm, twist”) or compare Old English slingan (“to wind, twist”), from the same source.
Compare German schlingen (“to swing, wind, twist”), Danish and Norwegian slynge), from Proto-Indo-European *slenk- (“to turn, twist”) (compare Welsh llyngyr (“worms, maggots”), Lithuanian sliñkti (“to crawl like a snake”), Latvian slìkt (“to sink”)).
- To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
“Everyone could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss.”
“slings a broken rock aloft in air”
- To throw with a sling.
- To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
- slangTo sell, peddle, or distribute (often illicitly, e.g. drugs, sex, etc.).
“You may know a lot about chemistry, man, but you don't know jack about slinging dope.”
- An instrument for throwing stones or other missiles, consisting of a short strap with two strings fastened to its ends, or with a string fastened to one end and a light stick to the other.
“The Sling is also a weapon of great antiquity, formerly in high estimation among the ancients.”
- A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.
- A loop of cloth, worn around the neck, for supporting a baby or other such load.
- A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.
- A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.
- in-pluralA band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast.
- The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke.
“At one sling
Of thy victorious arm, well-pleasing Son.”
“To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing, end th”
- A loop of rope or fabric tape used for various purposes: e.g. as part of a runner, or providing extra protection when abseiling or belaying.
- A drink composed of a spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.
“gin sling”
“a Singapore sling”
- A young or infant spider, such as one raised in captivity.
Formsslings(present, singular, third-person) · slinging(participle, present) · slung(participle, past) · slung(past) · slang(participle, past) · slang(past) · slings(plural)