sling
English
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 (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Proto-Indo-European *slenk (“to turn, twist”) (compare Welsh llyngyr (“worms, maggots”), Lithuanian sliñkti (“to crawl like a snake”), Latvian slìkt (“to sink”)).
Pronunciation
Verb
sling (third-person singular simple present slings, present participle slinging, simple past slung or slang, past participle slung)
- To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Addison to this entry?)
- To throw with a sling.
- Bible, Judges xx. 16
- Everyone could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss.
- Bible, Judges xx. 16
- (nautical) To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
- (slang) To sell drugs.
- 2008, Breaking Bad, Season 1, Episode 6:
- You may know a lot about chemistry man but you don't know jack about slinging dope.
- 2008, Breaking Bad, Season 1, Episode 6:
Derived terms
Translations
to throw
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Noun
sling (plural slings)
- (weaponry) 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.
- 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 43:
- 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.
- (nautical, chiefly in the plural) 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.
- (Can we date this quote by John Milton and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- At one sling / Of thy victorious arm, well-pleasing Son.
- 1600, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene I, line 55:
- 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.
- (Can we date this quote by John Milton and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- (climbing) 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
- a Singapore sling
Derived terms
Translations
instrument for throwing
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bandage
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a loop of cloth or a strap around the neck to carry a load
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rope or chain arrangement
strap attached to a firearm
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rope or iron securing a yard to a mast
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the act of hurling as with a sling
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked
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Etymology 2
From a shortening of spiderling.
Noun
sling (plural slings)
- A young or infant spider, such as one raised in captivity.
Further reading
Anagrams
Middle English
Noun
sling
- Alternative form of slynge
Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms derived from Old Norse
- English terms derived from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
- English 1-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- Rhymes:English/ɪŋ
- English lemmas
- English verbs
- Requests for quotations/Addison
- en:Nautical
- English slang
- English nouns
- English countable nouns
- en:Weapons
- English terms with quotations
- Requests for date/John Milton
- en:Climbing
- English class 3 strong verbs
- Middle English lemmas
- Middle English nouns