Sling | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Sling, n.

noun

n. [O. H. Ger. slinga, O. Ger. schlinge, Dan. slynge, Sw. slunga, Icel. slöngva, slaungva, D. slinger.]

Sense 1. An instrument for throwing stones, consisting of a strap and two strings. The stone, being lodged in the strap, is thrown by loosing one of the strings as the whole is whirled rapidly round.

Sense 2. A throw; a stroke.

At one sling

Of thy victorious arm, well pleasing son. Milton.

Sense 3. A kind of hanging bandage put round the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is sustained.

Sense 4. (Naut.) A rope, with hooks, by which a cask or bale is suspended and swung in or out of a ship; also, a rope or iron band used for securing the center of a yard to the mast;—chiefly used in the plural.

Sling, n.

noun

n. [Cf. L. Ger. slingen, H. Ger. schlingen, to swallow.] A drink composed of equal parts of spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened. Simmonds.

Sling, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SLUNG; p. pr. & vb. n. SLINGING.] [A-S. slīngan, M. H. Ger. slengen, O. & Prov. Ger. schlingen, schlengen, L. Ger. slingern, D. slingeren, Icel. slengia, slöngva, Sw. slänga, slunga, Dan. slänge, slynge.]

Sense 1. To throw with a sling.

Every one could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss. Judg. xx. 16.

Sense 2. To throw; to hurl; to cast. “Slings a broken rock aloft in air.” Addison.

Sense 3. To hang so as to swing; as, to sling a pack.

Sense 4. (Naut.) To put in ropes, or suspend, as a cask, gun, or the like, so as to put on a tackle and hoist or lower. Dana.