lash1
[lash]
- the flexible part of a whip; the section of cord or the like forming the extremity of a whip.
- a swift stroke or blow, with a whip or the like, given as a punishment: He received 20 lashes.
- something that goads or pains in a manner compared to that of a whip: the lash of his sharp tongue.
- a swift dashing or sweeping movement, as of an animal's tail; switch.
- a violent beating or impact, as of waves or rain, against something.
- an eyelash.
- Also called neck cord. a cord or a series of cords for lifting the warp in weaving a figured fabric.
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- to strike or beat, as with a whip or something similarly slender and flexible.
- to beat violently or sharply against: The rain lashed the trees.
- to drive by or as if by strokes of a whip: He lashed them on to greater effort.
- to attack, scold, or punish severely with words: She lashed the students with harsh criticism.
- to dash, fling, or switch suddenly and swiftly: The crocodile lashed its tail.
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- to strike vigorously at someone or something, as with a weapon or whip (often followed by out): He lashed wildly at his attackers.
- to attack or reprove someone with harsh words (often followed by out): to lash out at injustice.
- to move suddenly and swiftly; rush, dash, or flash: The coiled snake lashed suddenly.
- Chiefly British. to spend money lavishly or foolishly (usually followed by out).
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Origin of lash1
1300–50; Middle English lashe (noun), lashen (v.); perhaps of expressive orig.
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comlash2
[lash]
- to bind or fasten with a rope, cord, or the like.
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Origin of lash2
1400–50; late Middle English lasschyn, probably < Middle Dutch or Low German; compare Middle Dutch lasche patch, gusset, Dutch laschen to patch, scarf
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comLASH
[lash]
- an ocean-going vessel equipped with special cranes and holds for lifting and stowing cargo-carrying barges that can be sailed up inland waterways or into port facilities from offshore.
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Origin of LASH
1960–65; l(ighter) a(board) sh(ip)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
knockpummelchastisebuffetsmackbatterscoldcastigateberatelampoundhidedrumscourgehammerflaystrapdashstrikebasteExamples from the Web for lash
Contemporary Examples
And activists have used the semi-anonymity of social media to lash out against the government.
But all of them add up to a coiled-up rage, ready to lash out at the nearest target.
And when you peacefully protest their stereotyping of you, they lash back at you and they call you horrendous, horrific names.
Hammami followed his video by taking to Twitter to lash out at Shabaab and its emir.
The unending negotiations have given Israel the domestic stability to lash out in the region, using its American made weapons.
The Oslo Accords Have Served U.S. and Israeli Interests, But Not Palestine'sJesse Rosenfeld
September 16, 2013
Historical Examples
But the lash of the whip found his face, and marked it for a time worse than the small-pox.
Weighed and WantingGeorge MacDonald
Even the puling creature writhed under the lash of Mary's tones.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
His hand was smarting as though struck with the lash of a whip.
Howard Pyle's Book of PiratesHoward Pyle
But having a raisin in my mouth I could not on the instant respond to the lash.
It Happened in EgyptC. N. Williamson
Does it hold back the lash from the slave, or sweeten his bitter bread?
The Works of Whittier, Volume VII (of VII)John Greenleaf Whittier
lash1
- a sharp cutting blow from a whip or other flexible objecttwenty lashes was his punishment
- the flexible end or ends of a whip
- a cutting or hurtful blow to the feelings, as one caused by ridicule or scolding
- a forceful beating or impact, as of wind, rain, or waves against something
- See eyelash
- have a lash Australian and NZ informal to make an attempt at or take part in (something)
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- to hit (a person or thing) sharply with a whip, rope, etc, esp as a punishment
- (of rain, waves, etc) to beat forcefully against
- to attack with words, ridicule, etc
- to flick or wave sharply to and frothe restless panther lashed his tail
- to urge or drive with or as if with a whipto lash the audience into a violent mood
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See also lash out
Word Origin
C14: perhaps imitative
lash2
- (tr) to bind or secure with rope, string, etc
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Word Origin
C15: from Old French lachier, ultimately from Latin laqueāre to ensnare, from laqueus noose
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for lash
n.
c.1300, las "a blow, a stroke," later "flexible part of a whip" (late 14c.), possibly imitative. The verb might be the source of the noun.
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v.2
"bind," 1620s, originally nautical, from Middle French lachier, from Old French lacier "to lace" (see lace (v.)). Related: Lashed; lashing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper