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sling

 [sling]   Origin

sling

1   [sling] noun, verb, slung, sling·ing.
noun
1.
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.
2.
a slingshot.
3.
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.
4.
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.
5.
sling-back.
EXPAND
6.
an act or instance of slinging.
7.
a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.
8.
Nautical.
a.
a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.
b.
slings, the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.
COLLAPSE
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verb (used with object)
9.
to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.
10.
to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.
11.
to raise, lower, etc., by such means.
12.
to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely: to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.
13.
to suspend: to sling a hammock between two trees.

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So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:
to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.
to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
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Idiom
14.
sling hash, Slang. to work as a waiter or waitress, especially at a lunch counter or cheap restaurant.
Origin:
1175–1225; (v.) Middle English slyngen < Old Norse slyngva to sling, fling, cognate with Old English slingan to wind, twist; (noun) Middle English, perhaps derivative of the v., though sense “strap, hoist” may be of distinct orig.

Synonyms
9. pitch, toss.

Dictionary.com Unabridged

sling

2   [sling]
noun
an iced alcoholic drink, typically containing gin, water, sugar, and lemon or lime juice.
Origin:
1785–95, Americanism; of uncertain origin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To sling
Collins
World English Dictionary
sling1 (slɪŋ)
 
—n
1.  a simple weapon consisting of a loop of leather, etc, in which a stone is whirled and then let fly
2.  a rope or strap by which something may be secured or lifted
3.  a rope net swung from a crane, used for loading and unloading cargo
4.  nautical
 a.  a halyard for a yard
 b.  (often plural) the part of a yard where the sling is attached
5.  med a wide piece of cloth suspended from the neck for supporting an injured hand or arm across the front of the body
6.  a loop or band attached to an object for carrying
7.  mountaineering a loop of rope or tape used for support in belays, abseils, etc
8.  the act of slinging
 
—vb , slings, slinging, slung
9.  (tr) to hurl with or as if with a sling
10.  to attach a sling or slings to (a load, etc)
11.  (tr) to carry or hang loosely from or as if from a sling: to sling washing from the line
12.  informal to throw
13.  informal (Austral) (intr) to pay a part of one's wages or profits as a bribe or tip
 
[C13: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse slyngva to hurl, Old High German slingan]
 
'slinger1
 
—n

sling2 (slɪŋ)
 
—n
a mixed drink with a spirit base, usually sweetened
 
[C19: of uncertain origin]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

sling
c.1300, "implement for throwing stones," from an unidentified continental source, e.g. M.L.G. slinge "sling," from P.Gmc. *slenganan (cf. O.H.G. slingan, Ger. schlingen "to swing to and fro, wind, twist;" O.E. slingan "to creep, twist;" O.Fris. slinge, O.H.G. slinga, Ger. Schlinge "sling;" M.Swed. slonga
EXPAND
"noose, knot, snare"). 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 1323. Meaning "piece of cloth tied around the neck to support an injured arm" is first attested 1720.

sling
early 13c., "to knock down," later "to throw," originally "to throw with a sling" (early 14c.), from O.N. slyngva, from the root of sling (n.1). Slingshot is attested from 1849; the piece of stone or metal hurled from it is a slung-shot (1848).

sling
"sweet flavored liquor drink," 1807, Amer.Eng., of unknown origin; perhaps lit. "to throw back" a drink, or from Ger. schlingen "to swallow."
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

sling (slĭng)
n.
A supporting bandage or suspensory device, especially a loop suspended from the neck and supporting the flexed forearm.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Easton
Bible Dictionary

Sling definition


With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Sam. 17:40, 49). There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand they "could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss" (Judg. 20:16; 1 Chr. 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (See ARMS.) The words in Prov. 26:8, "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. (Authorized Version), should rather, as in the Revised Version, be "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones," etc.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

sling

In addition to the idioms beginning with sling, also see ass in a sling.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia

sling

implement for propelling missiles, one of the first missile weapons used in warfare. It consisted of a small strap or socket of leather to which two cords were attached. The warrior, or slinger, held the ends of the cords in one hand, placed the missile snugly in the strap, and whirled the socket and missile rapidly around his head; by letting go of one cord at the right moment, the slinger could let the missile fly out of the socket at a high speed. In another type, the sling was attached to a short staff that was held in both hands; it was used for heavier missiles, especially in siege operations during the European Middle Ages.

Learn more about sling with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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