lash

[ lash ]

/ læʃ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lash ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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).

Nearby words

laser treatment, laser tuning, laser-guided weapons, laserdisc, laserscope, lash, lash line, lash out, lash rail, lash-up, lashed

Origin of lash

1300–50; Middle English lashe (noun), lashen (v.); perhaps of expressive orig.

SYNONYMS FOR lash

14 berate, scold, tongue-lash.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lash ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formslash·er, nounlash·ing·ly, adverblash·less, adjective

Definition for lash (2 of 3)

lash

[ lash ]

/ læʃ /

verb (used with object)

to bind or fasten with a rope, cord, or the like.

Origin of lash

1400–50; late Middle English lasschyn, probably < Middle Dutch or Low German; compare Middle Dutch lasche patch, gusset, Dutch laschen to patch, scarf

SYNONYMS FOR lash

tie, secure, rope, truss.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lash ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formslash·er, nounlash·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for lash (3 of 3)

LASH

[ lash ]

/ læʃ /

noun

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.

Origin of LASH

1960–65; l(ighter) a(board) sh(ip)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lash

And activists have used the semi-anonymity of social media to lash out against the government.
Egypt’s LGBTs Fight Grindr Crackdown|Jay Michaelson|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But all of them add up to a coiled-up rage, ready to lash out at the nearest target.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And when you peacefully protest their stereotyping of you, they lash back at you and they call you horrendous, horrific names.
Amanda Blackhorse Is ‘Confident’ Snyder Will Lose His Redskins Appeal|Robert Silverman|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Hammami followed his video by taking to Twitter to lash out at Shabaab and its emir.
Syria’s Jihadist Twitter Wars|Bill Roggio|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

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's|Jesse Rosenfeld|September 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Truly, if the lash of remorse had lacked its keenest thong, this passionate outburst of his would have added it.
The Master of Appleby|Francis Lynde
The dark flush showed how quickly his haughty spirit responded to the flicker of the lash.
The Inner Shrine|Basil King
Larkin made a threatening motion toward the lash coiled at his belt.
The Terrible Answer|Arthur G. Hill
It was another to listen to her hard, pitiless words, to change colour under the lash of her gibing tongue.
Under the Red Robe|Stanley Weyman
The only thing they were clear upon was that Janosics deserved fifty strokes with the lash, a punishment he promptly received.
The Strange Story of Rab Rby|Mr Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for lash (1 of 2)

lash

/ (læʃ) /

noun

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)

verb (tr)

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

Word Origin for lash

C14: perhaps imitative

British Dictionary definitions for lash (2 of 2)

lash

/ (læʃ) /

verb

(tr) to bind or secure with rope, string, etc

Derived Formslasher, noun

Word Origin for lash

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 (1 of 3)

lash

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.

Word Origin and History for lash (1 of 3)

lash

v.2

"bind," 1620s, originally nautical, from Middle French lachier, from Old French lacier "to lace" (see lace (v.)). Related: Lashed; lashing.

Word Origin and History for lash (2 of 3)

lash

v.1

"to strike with a whip," c.1300, "to deal a blow;" later "to whip" (late 14c.); see lash (n.). Lash out "to strike out violently" is from 1560s. Related: Lashed; lashing.

lash

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of lash

Definition for lash (2 of 3)

lash

verb (used with object)

Origin of lash

Definition for lash (3 of 3)

LASH

noun

Origin of LASH

Examples from the Web for lash

British Dictionary definitions for lash (1 of 2)

lash

noun

verb (tr)

Word Origin for lash

British Dictionary definitions for lash (2 of 2)

lash

verb

Word Origin for lash

Word Origin and History for lash (1 of 3)

lash

Word Origin and History for lash (1 of 3)

lash

Word Origin and History for lash (2 of 3)

lash