sling

Meaning

Verb

1. To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
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. (slang) To sell, peddle, or distribute (often illicitly, e.g. drugs, sex, etc.).

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.
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. (in-plural) 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.
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.

Noun

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

Synonyms

catapult

slingshot

throw

fling

cast

hurl

pitch

snare

toss

launch

noose

dart

🎯

slingback

rope

🪢

scarf bandage

loop

➿

centrifuge

chuck

hoist

strap

suspend

lob

heave

propel

project

net

hang

triangular bandage

spin dryer

spinner

suspensory

thong

trap

🪤

tree

🌳

trice

tug

ultracentrifuge

vine

arbalist

chain dog

dart thrower

spear thrower

spin-dry

eye hook

weight

fall line

in the case of animals

trebucket

crane cable

suspension cable

Translations

fronde

honda

fionda

Schleuder

écharpe

🧣

lance-pierre

funda

cabestrillo

schleudern

Schlinge

➿

estilingue

scagliare

slingeren

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈslɪŋ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: slynge

Cognate with Old English: slingan

Cognate with German: schlingen

Cognate with Welsh: llyngyr

Cognate with Lithuanian: sliñkti

Cognate with Latvian: slìkt

In summary

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”)).