fling

nounverbattested in dialogue

//ˈflɪŋ//

An act of throwing, often violently.

noun

1
An act of throwing, often violently.
2
An act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements, especially in a dance.
the fling of a horse
3
An act or period of unrestrained indulgence, enthusiasm, or both.
When I was as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of pleasure.
"I am inclined to go and have a fling with them. Why not all of us — just for a minute or two — it will not detain us long?"
Here again steam is having its last fling, and the "dual link" drivers at Brunswick shed, Liverpool, already are alternating steam and diesel duties.
4
A short romantic, oftentimes sexual, relationship.
a summer fling
I had a fling with a girl I met on holiday.
Because I've noticed one thing / This ain't no summer fling
5
figurativeAn attempt, a try.
give it a fling
6
obsoleteA severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of sarcastic scorn; a gibe or taunt.
I, who love to have a fling, / Both at senate house and king.
I can just make out clearly that he is having a good fling at the Pope. The congregation, numbering about two hundred, are evidently very much pleased with the clergyman's endeavour.
7
A lively Scottish country dance.
the Highland fling
8
A party, especially a dance party.
a spring fling
9
obsoleteA trifling matter; an object of contempt.
ante 1800, old proverb England were but a fling / Save for the crooked stick and the grey goose wing.

Etymology

From Middle English fling, from the verb (see below). Compare Icelandic flengur (“a fast sprint”).

verb

1
To throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.
'Tis Fate that casts the Dice, and as she flings, Of Kings makes Pedants, and of Pedants Kings.
I know thy generous temper well. / ' but the appearance of dishonour on it, / It straight takes fire.
Wilkinson was struggling, sending the re-start straight into touch and flinging a pass the same way, and France then went close to the first try of the contest as Clerc took a long pass out on the left and was just bundled into touch by the corner flag.
Signalman Bridges was killed by the blast, as was fireman Nightall. Amazingly, driver Gimbert came round some 200 yards away, on the grass outside the Station Hotel where he had been flung.
2
To move (oneself) abruptly or violently; to rush or dash.
And crop-full, out of doors he flings.
I see, sir, said I, I see what a man I am with. […] And away I flung, leaving him seemingly vexed, and in confusion.
I flung closer to his breast, / As sword that, after battle, flings to sheath.
"We beseech your Majesty—" said Glozelle, but Miraz had flung out of the tent and they could hear him bawling out his acceptance to Edmund.
3
archaicTo throw; to wince; to flounce.
The horse flung most potently, making his heels fly aloft in the air.
4
To utter abusive language; to sneer.
The scold began to flout and fling.

Etymology

From Middle English flyngen, from Old Norse flengja (“to whip”), from Proto-Germanic *flangijaną (“to beat, whip”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂k- (“to beat”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂k-, *pleh₂g- (“to beat”). Cognate with Icelandic flengja (“to spank”), Norwegian flengja (“to rip, tear, or fling open”).

Forms

plural: flings
past tense: flung, flang, flinged
past participle: flung, flang, flinged
present participle: flinging
third person singular: flings

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fling · An act of throwing, often violently.

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The neighbouring pages — Alphabetical order follows the rules of the language, not byte values: an accent decides only between two otherwise identical words, and Spanish files Ñ as a letter of its own.