spanking
verbadjectiveadverbverbnounattested in dialogue
- Canada//ˈspeɪ̯ŋkɪŋ//
- Canada/[ˈspeɪ̯ŋkʰɪŋ] ~ /ˈspɛ̃ŋkɪŋ//
- Canada/[ˈspɛ̃ŋkʰɪŋ]/
- //ˈspæŋkɪŋ//
- /[ˈspæŋkʰɪŋ]/
Fast and energetic.
verb
- 1
Also a form of spankpresent participle of spank
Etymology
Etymology tree English spank Proto-Indo-European *-onts Proto-Germanic *-ndz Proto-West Germanic *-andī Old English -ende Middle English -ynge English -ing English spanking From spank (“to move energetically”) + -ing.
adjective
- 1
Fast and energetic.
a spanking pace
'I'd like nothing better this minute,' said Mr Browne stoutly, 'than a rattling fine walk in the country or a fast drive with a good spanking goer between the shafts.'
On both the Gothland and the Öland Railway, a spanking railcar provides an alternative to riding in the wayward, steam-driven mixed train, but the latter is the proper conveyance for a real railway lover, even over the flat, limestone plains which form much of the Baltic island scenery.
- 2
Brisk and fresh.
a spanking breeze
adverb
- 1
An intensifier.
brand spanking new
a spanking good time
spanking clean
spanking white
verb
- 1
Also a form of spankpresent participle of spank
Etymology
From spank (“to punish by swatting”) + -ing (participial suffix) and -ing (gerundial suffix).
noun
- 1
A form of physical punishment in which a beating is applied to the buttocks.
Domestic spanking is often endured over the knee (or lap), formal spanking rather applied over a contraption such as a trestle or A-frame, with or without constraints.
- 2
An incident of such punishment, or such physical act in a non-punitive context, such as a birthday spanking.
Some people think spankings of any sort constitute child abuse.
Forms
- plural
- spankings