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Webster 1913 Edition


Sling

Sling

,
Noun.
[OE.
slinge
; akin to OD.
slinge
, D.
slinger
, OHG.
slinga
; cf. OF.
eslingue
, of German origin. See
Sling
,
Verb.
T.
]
1.
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. The missile being lodged in a hole in the strap, the ends of the string are taken in the hand, and the whole whirled rapidly round until, by loosing one end, the missile is let fly with centrifugal force.
2.
The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke.
The
slings
and arrows of outrageous fortune.
Shakespeare
At one
sling

Of thy victorius arm, well-pleasing Son.
Milton.
3.
A contrivance for sustaining anything by suspension
; as:
(a)
A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.
(b)
A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.
(c)
A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.
(d)
(Naut.)
A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; – chiefly in the plural.
Sling cart
,
a kind of cart used to transport cannon and their carriages, large stones, machines, etc., the objects transported being slung, or suspended by a chain attached to the axletree.
–
Sling dog
,
one of a pair of iron hooks used as part of a sling. See def. 3
(b)
above.

Sling

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp.
Slung
,
Archaic
Slang
;
p. p.
Slung
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Slinging
.]
[AS.
slingan
; akin to D.
slingeren
, G.
schlingen
, to wind, to twist, to creep, OHG.
slingan
to wind, to twist, to move to and fro, Icel.
slyngva
,
slöngva
, to sling, Sw.
slunga
, Dan.
slynge
, Lith.
slinkti
to creep.]
1.
To throw with a sling.
“Every one could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss.”
Judg. xx. 16.
2.
To throw; to hurl; to cast.
Addison.
3.
To hang so as to swing;
as, to
sling
a pack
.
4.
(Naut)
To pass a rope round, as a cask, gun, etc., preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.

Sling

,
Noun.
[Cf. G.
schlingen
to swallow.]
A drink composed of spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.

Webster 1828 Edition


Sling

SLING

, n.
1.
An instrument for throwing stones, consisting of a strap and two strings; the stone being lodged in the strap, is thrown by losing one of the strings With a sling and a stone David killed Goliath.
2.
A throw; a stroke.
3.
A kind of hanging bandage put round the neck, in which a wounded limb is sustained.
4.
A rope by which a cask or bale is suspended and swung in or out of a ship
5.
A drink composed of equal parts of rum or spirit and water sweetened.

SLING

,
Verb.
T.
pret. and pp. slung. [The primary sense seems to be to swing.]
1.
To throw with a sling.
2.
To throw; to hurl.
3.
To hang so as to swing; as, to sling a pack.
4.
To move or swing by a rope which suspends the thing.