sling
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Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
sling¹
- /ˈslɪŋ/
Rhymes with -ɪŋ
Where it comes from
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”)).
verb slings · slinging · slung · slang
- To throw with a circular or arcing motion. Everyone could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss.
- To throw with a sling.
- To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
- To hang or stow (a tool or other equipment or supplies) so that the object is ready to deploy.
- To 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.
noun slings
- 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.
- A 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.
- 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
sling²
Where it comes from
From a shortening of spiderling.
noun slings
- A young or infant spider, such as one raised in captivity.
