lash

plural lashes

1. The thong or braided cord of a whip, with which the blow is given.

   I observed that your whip wanted a lash to it.

   1711 July 14 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, July 4, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 108; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

2. obsoleteA leash in which an animal is caught or held; hence, a snare.
3. A stroke with a whip, or anything pliant and tough, often given as a punishment.

   The culprit received thirty-nine lashes.

4. A quick and violent sweeping movement, as of an animal's tail; a swish.
5. A stroke of satire or sarcasm; an expression or retort that cuts or gives pain; a cut.

   The moral is a lash at the vanity of arrogating that to ourselves which succeeds well.

   1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC

6. A hair growing from the edge of the eyelid; an eyelash.

   But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections.

   1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax

7. In carpet weaving, a group of strings for lifting simultaneously certain yarns, to form the figure.
8. biologyFlowering plants of genus Blepharis.
9. AustraliaIrelandNew ZealandinformalAn attempt; a go at something.

   I'll have a lash.

   2 more examples

   Much-loved characters living on after their author’s death is not so unusual these days. Every second bloke in possession of a keyboard seems to have had a lash at a James Bond thriller, including Kingsley Amis, John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Jeffery Deaver, William Boyd, Anthony Horowitz, Christopher Wood and Sebastian Faulks.

   2021 August 28, Grant Smithies, “The Dark Remains: Ian Rankin's 'terrifying' return”, in Stuff

   “I felt I’d go out and grab the bull by the horns and give it a good lash and I’m very pleased to come away with second in my very first Diamond League final.”

   2022 September 9, Cathal Dennehy, “Ciara Mageean shines in Diamond League to claim second”, in Irish Examiner

   Synonyms: bash

10. A quantity, a great number or amount (e.g. of rain or milk).

    ... put a lash of scepticism in his tone.

    2014 April 22, John Creasey, The Theft of Magna Carta, House of Stratus, →ISBN, page 79

    2 more examples

    the Ayrshire cow gives a lash of milk on comparatively bare pasture

    1883, Ontario Agricultural College, Annual Report of the Ontario School of Agriculture and Experimental Farm, page 163

    The oaks cry oot beneath November's lashes, But not for all the months[…]

    1891, James Logie Robertson, Ochil Idylls: And Other Poems, page 23

present singular third person lashes · participle present lashing · participle past lashed · past lashed

1. transitiveTo strike with a lash; to whip or scourge with a lash, or with something like one.

   We lash the pupil, and defraud the ward

   1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The First Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   A lesbian who was lashed as a teenager for saying she was gay.

   1994 October, “Lesbian Launches Transkei Gay Group”, in Gay Community News, page 4

   Synonyms: whip

2. transitiveTo strike forcibly and quickly, as with a lash; to beat, or beat upon, with a motion like that of a lash.

   Heavy seas lashed the shore.

   2 more examples

   (A swan) dashed suddenly forward with such a flutter that the water all round was lashed into foam.

   1866., Chatterbox, volume XXVI, United States, page 202

   Carlo Ancelotti's out-of-sorts team struggled to hit the target in the first half as Bolton threatened with Matthew Taylor lashing just wide.

   2010 December 29, Chris Whyatt, “Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton”, in BBC

3. transitiveTo throw out with a jerk or quickly.

   He falls, and lashing up his heels, his rider throws.

   1717, John Dryden [et al.], “(please specify |book=I to XV)”, in Ovid’s Metamorphoses in Fifteen Books. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

4. transitiveTo scold; or to satirize; to censure with severity.

   Synonyms: berate

5. intransitiveTo ply the whip; to strike.
6. intransitiveTo strike vigorously; to let fly.

   In the final minute of six added on, Colombia would undo their good work, though, Pérez fumbling the ball allowing Hemp to lash into the empty net.

   2023 August 12, Suzanne Wrack, “England hit back to beat Colombia and set up World Cup semi with Australia”, in The Guardian

7. intransitiveTo utter censure or sarcastic language.

   To laugh at follies, or to lash at vice.

   1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Fifth Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC

8. intransitiveTo fall heavily, especially in the phrase lash down.

   With rain lashing across the ground at kick-off and every man in Auckland seemingly either English-born or supporting Scotland, Eden Park was transformed into Murrayfield in March.

   2011 October 1, Tom Fordyce, “Rugby World Cup 2011: England 16-12 Scotland”, in BBC Sport

9. Used in phrasal verbs: lash back, lash out.

present singular third person lashes · participle present lashing · participle past lashed · past lashed

1. transitiveTo bind with a rope, cord, thong, or chain, so as to fasten.

   to lash something to a spar

   1 more example

   lash a pack on a horse's back

comparative more lash · superlative most lash

1. obsoleteRemiss, lax.

   Synonyms: at fault, blameworthy, neglectful, negligent, reprehensible

2. obsoleteRelaxed.

   Synonyms: airy, at ease, at peace, carefree, careless, casual, chill, cool

3. Soft, watery, wet.

   Fruits being unwholesome and lash before the fourth or fifth Yeare.

   1658, Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus, Folio Society, published 2007, page 211

   Synonyms: spongy, squidgy, bewatered, damp, drenched, dripping, drunk, humid

4. UlsterExcellent, wonderful.

   That Chinese (food) was lash!

   1 more example

   We’re off school tomorrow, it’s gonna be lash!

   Synonyms: ace, admirable, amazing, awe-inspiring, awesome, badass, broyal, bang on

5. UKslangDrunk.

   Synonyms: Adrian Quist, adrip, aled up, all mops and brooms, arseholed, a sheet in the wind, a sheet in the wind's eye, bedrunken

1. uncountableengineeringLooseness between fitted parts, either intentional (as allowance) or unintentional (from error or wear).

   excessive lash in the gear train

   1 more example

   setting the proper valve lash for solid lifters

   Synonyms: backlash, play, lost motion

plural Lashes

1. A surname.

1. abbreviationacronymnot comparablenauticalAcronym of lighter-aboard-ship.