sling

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”)).

• IPA^(key): /ˈslɪŋ/
• Rhymes: -ɪŋ

sling (third-person singular simple present slings, present participle slinging, simple past slung or slang, past participle slung)

1. To throw with a circular or arcing motion.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Addison to this entry?)

2. To throw with a sling.
   • Bible, Judges xx. 16

     Everyone could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss.

3. (nautical) To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
4. (slang) To sell drugs.
   • 2008, Breaking Bad, Season 1, Episode 6:

     You may know a lot about chemistry man but you don't know jack about slinging dope.

• undersling

A diagram of how to put on a sling (sense 2)

sling (plural slings)

1. (weapon) 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.
   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 43:

     The Sling is also a weapon of great antiquity, formerly in high estimation among the ancients.

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. (nautical, chiefly in the 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.
   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     At one sling / Of thy victorious arm, well-pleasing Son.

   • 1600, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene I, line 55:

     To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them.

8. (climbing) 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.

   gin sling

   a Singapore sling

• ass in a sling
• slingshot
• slingstone
• staff sling

From a shortening of spiderling.

sling (plural slings)

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

• Sling in the Encyclopædia Britannica (11th edition, 1911)

• -lings, Lings, lings

sling

1. Alternative form of slynge