Sling, v. 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 (?), n. [OE. slinge; akin
to OD. slinge, D. slinger, OHG. slinga; cf. OF.
eslingue, of German origin. See Sling, v.
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.
Shak.
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, n. [Cf. G. schlingen to
swallow.] A drink composed of spirit (usually gin) and water
sweetened.