lashing

¹ American  

[lash-ing] / ˈlæʃ ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that lashes.

2. a whipping with or as if with a lash.

3. a severe scolding; tongue-lashing.

4. Chiefly British Informal. Usually lashings a large amount; an abundance (usually followed byof ).

   strawberries with lashings of cream;

   scallops with a lashing of olive oil.

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lashing ² American  

[lash-ing] / ˈlæʃ ɪŋ /

noun

1. a binding or fastening with a rope or the like.

2. the rope or the like used.

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lashing ¹ British  

/ ˈlæʃɪŋ /

noun

1. a whipping; flogging

2. a scolding

3. informal large amounts; lots

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lashing ² British  

/ ˈlæʃɪŋ /

noun

1. rope, cord, etc, used for binding or securing

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Etymology

Origin of lashing¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, and in 1820–30 lashing ¹ for def. 4; from Middle English lasshyng, lashynge; lash ¹, -ing ¹; lashing ¹ def. 4 developed from the sense “to spend money lavishly or foolishly”

Origin of lashing²

First recorded in 1660–70; lash ² + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

He tried to explain that Pete was just lashing out because he was angry.

From Literature

There’s one plus-size social influencer whose Instagram travel posts have kept the British tabs in business by lashing out against “fat phobic” critics.

From Los Angeles Times

Reuben tried to yank her away, lashing her face and hands with stinging rain, but Natalie hung on, working her way around the car until she could curl her legs up on the trunk.

From Literature

Someone had sent me this thing that said that I “lashed out” or used a word that was quite a violent one, like I was lashing back at James Cameron.

From Los Angeles Times

After initially lashing out at the strike against Maduro, Rodríguez struck a conciliatory tone Sunday when she invited the U.S. government “to work together on a cooperative agenda.”

From The Wall Street Journal