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Sling

//ˈslɪŋ// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    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."

  2. 2
    A young or infant spider, such as one raised in captivity.
  3. 3
    bandage to support an injured forearm; consisting of a wide triangular piece of cloth hanging from around the neck wordnet
  4. 4
    A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.
  5. 5
    a simple weapon consisting of a looped strap in which a projectile is whirled and then released wordnet
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  1. 6
    A loop of cloth, worn around the neck, for supporting a baby or other such load.
  2. 7
    a shoe that has a strap that wraps around the heel wordnet
  3. 8
    A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.
  4. 9
    a plaything consisting of a Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms; used to propel small stones wordnet
  5. 10
    A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.
  6. 11
    a highball with liquor and water with sugar and lemon or lime juice wordnet
  7. 12
    A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast. in-plural
  8. 13
    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."

  9. 14
    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.
  10. 15
    A drink composed of a spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.

    "gin sling"

Verb
  1. 1
    To throw with a circular or arcing motion.

    "Everyone could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss."

  2. 2
    hurl as if with a sling wordnet
  3. 3
    To throw with a sling.
  4. 4
    hold or carry in a sling wordnet
  5. 5
    To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
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  1. 6
    move with a sling wordnet
  2. 7
    To sell, peddle, or distribute (often illicitly, e.g. drugs, sex, etc.). slang

    "You may know a lot about chemistry, man, but you don't know jack about slinging dope."

  3. 8
    hang loosely or freely; let swing wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From 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”)).

Etymology 2

From 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”)).

Etymology 3

From a shortening of spiderling.

See also for "sling"

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