a device for hurling stones or other missiles that consists, typically, of a short strap with a long string at each end and that is operated by placing the missile in the strap, and, holding the ends of the strings in one hand, whirling the instrument around in a circle and releasing one of the strings to discharge the missile.
a slingshot.
a bandage used to suspend or support an injured part of the body, commonly a bandage suspended from the neck to support an injured arm or hand.
a strap, band, or the like, forming a loop by which something is suspended or carried, as a strap attached to a rifle and passed over the shoulder.
a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.
Nautical.
a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.
slings,the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.
verb (used with object),slung,sling·ing.
to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.
to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.
to raise, lower, etc., by such means.
to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely: to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.
to suspend: to sling a hammock between two trees.
Idioms
sling hash, Slang. to work as a waiter or waitress, especially at a lunch counter or cheap restaurant.
Origin of sling
1
1175–1225; (v.) Middle Englishslyngen < Old Norseslyngva to sling, fling, cognate with Old Englishslingan to wind, twist; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the v., though sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct orig.
c.1300, "implement for throwing stones," from an unidentified continental Germanic source (e.g. Middle Low German slinge "a sling"); see sling (v.). The notion probably is of a sling being twisted and twirled before it is thrown. Sense of "loop for lifting or carrying heavy objects" first recorded early 14c. Meaning "piece of cloth tied around the neck to support an injured arm" is first attested 1720.
sling
v.
c.1200, "to knock down" using a sling, later "to throw" (mid-13c.), especially with a sling, from Old Norse slyngva, from Proto-Germanic *slingwanan (cf. Old High German slingan, German schlingen "to swing to and fro, wind, twist;" Old English slingan "to creep, twist;" Old Frisian slinge, Middle Dutch slinge, Old High German slinga, German Schlinge "sling;" Middle Swedish slonga "noose, knot, snare"), from PIE *slengwh "to slide, make slide; sling, throw." Meaning "to hang from one point to another" (as a hammock) is from 1690s. Related: Slung; slinging.
sling
n.2
sweetened, flavored liquor drink, 1807, American English, of unknown origin; perhaps literally "to throw back" a drink (see sling (v.)), or from German schlingen "to swallow."
