sling

Meanings

Verb

• To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
• To throw with a sling.
• To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
• To sell, peddle, or distribute (often illicitly, e.g. drugs, sex, etc.).

Noun

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• A young or infant spider, such as one raised in captivity.

Origin

• From Middle English slynge, slyngen, probably from Old Norse slyngja, slyngva, 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")).
• From a shortening of spiderling.