sling
verbnounnounattested in dialogue
- //ˈslɪŋ//
To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
verb
- 1
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
- 2
To throw with a sling.
- 3
To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
- 4
To hang or stow (a tool or other equipment or supplies) so that the object is ready to deploy.
- 5
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.
Etymology
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”)).
noun
- 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
A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.
- 3
A loop of cloth, worn around the neck, for supporting a baby or other such load.
- 4
A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.
- 5
A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.
- 6
A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast.
- 7
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 them.
- 8
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.
- 9
A drink composed of a spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.
gin sling
a Singapore sling
noun
- 1
A young or infant spider, such as one raised in captivity.
Etymology
From a shortening of spiderling.
Forms
- plural
- slings
- past tense
- slung, slang
- past participle
- slung, slang
- present participle
- slinging
- third person singular
- slings
sling · To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
slip · To lose one’s traction on a slippery surface; to slide due to…slipped · With part of the stalk displayed.slipper · A low soft shoe that can be slipped on and off easily.