lashing

a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.

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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.

10.

to drive by or as if by strokes of a whip: He lashed them on to greater effort.

11.

to attack, scold, or punish severely with words: She lashed the students with harsh criticism.

12.

to dash, fling, or switch suddenly and swiftly: The crocodile lashed its tail.

verb (used without object)

13.

to strike vigorously at someone or something, as with a weapon or whip (often followed by out ): He lashed wildly at his attackers.

14.

to attack or reprove someone with harsh words (often followed by out ): to lash out at injustice.

15.

to move suddenly and swiftly; rush, dash, or flash: The coiled snake lashed suddenly.

16.

Chiefly British. to spend money lavishly or foolishly (usually followed by out ).

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

Related forms

lash·er, noun

lash·ing·ly, adverb

lash·less, adjective

Synonyms
14. berate, scold, tongue-lash.

verb (used with object)

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

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

Related forms

lash·er, noun

lash·ing·ly, adverb

Synonyms
tie, secure, rope, truss.

Link To lashing

Collins

World English Dictionary

lash¹ (læʃ)

—n
1.	a sharp cutting blow from a whip or other flexible object: twenty lashes was his punishment
2.	the flexible end or ends of a whip
3.	a cutting or hurtful blow to the feelings, as one caused by ridicule or scolding
4.	a forceful beating or impact, as of wind, rain, or waves against something
5.	See eyelash
6.	informal (Austral), (NZ) have a lash to make an attempt at or take part in (something)

—vb
7.	to hit (a person or thing) sharply with a whip, rope, etc, esp as a punishment
8.	(of rain, waves, etc) to beat forcefully against
9.	to attack with words, ridicule, etc
10.	to flick or wave sharply to and fro: the restless panther lashed his tail
11.	to urge or drive with or as if with a whip: to lash the audience into a violent mood

[C14: perhaps imitative]

'lasher¹

—n

'lashingly¹

—*adv*

lash² (læʃ)

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

[C15: from Old French lachier, ultimately from Latin laqueāre to ensnare, from laqueus noose]

'lasher²

—n

lashing¹ (ˈlæʃɪŋ)

—n (usually foll by of)
1.	a whipping; flogging
2.	a scolding
3.	informal (Brit) large amounts; lots

lashing² (ˈlæʃɪŋ)

—n
	rope, cord, etc, used for binding or securing

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

lash

early 14c., las "a blow, a stroke," later "flexible part of a whip" (late 14c.), possibly imitative. The verb "to strike out" is first attested early 14c. and may be the source of the noun. Lash out "to strike out violently" is from 1560s. Related: Lashed; lashes; lashing.

lash

"bind," 1620s, originally nautical, from M.Fr. lachier, from O.Fr. lacier "to lace" (see lace).

Example sentences

Having the tape wound on the stick makes it much easier to handle while lashing

the parts together.

The sound of wind and rain lashing the trees outside infiltrated the silence.

Before abandonment the steering wheel was made immovable by lashing it securely.

They merely see the giant lashing out, often in ways that make an already

horrible situation worse.

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Related Words

gripe lash line snug

snug switch

Matching Quote

"The infernal storm, eternal in its rage, sweeps and drives the spirits with its blast; it whirls them, lashing them with punishment. When they are swept back past their place of judgment then come the shrieks, laments, and anguished cries; there they blaspheme God's almighty power."

-Dante Alighieri