sling

present singular third person slings · participle present slinging · participle past slung · past slung · participle past slang · past slang

1. To throw with a circular or arcing motion.

   slings a broken rock aloft in air

   a. 1720, Joseph Addison, “Milton’s Style Imitated, in a Translation of a Story out of the Third Æneid”, in The Dramatick Works of Joseph Addison. With the Authour’s Poems, on Several Occasions

   1 more example

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

   2000, Bible (World English), Judges xx. 16

   Synonyms: fling, hurl, bung, cast, chuck, chunk, cook, dash

2. To throw with a sling.
3. nauticalTo pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.
4. To hang or stow (a tool or other equipment or supplies) so that the object is ready to deploy.
5. slangTo sell, peddle, or distribute (often illicitly, e.g. drugs, sex, etc.).

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

   2008, Breaking Bad, Season 1, Episode 6

   Synonyms: slang, flog, flip

plural slings

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

   1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 43

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. in pluralnauticalA 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.

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

   1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   1 more example

   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.

   1600, William Shakespeare, Hamlet, act III, scene I, line 55

8. climbingA 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

   1 more example

   a Singapore sling

plural slings

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