sling

sling¹

/sling/, n., v., slung, slinging.

n.

1. a device for hurling stones or other missiles that consists, typically, of a short strap with a long string at each end and that is operated by placing the missile in the strap, and, holding the ends of the strings in one hand, whirling the instrument around in a circle and releasing one of the strings to discharge the missile.

2. a slingshot.

3. a bandage used to suspend or support an injured part of the body, commonly a bandage suspended from the neck to support an injured arm or hand.

4. a strap, band, or the like, forming a loop by which something is suspended or carried, as a strap attached to a rifle and passed over the shoulder.

5. sling-back.

6. an act or instance of slinging.

7. a rope, chain, net, etc., for hoisting freight or for holding it while being hoisted.

8. Naut.

a. a chain for supporting a hoisting yard.

b. slings, the area of a hoisting yard to which such chains are attached; the middle of a hoisting yard.

v.t.

9. to throw, cast, or hurl; fling, as from the hand.

10. to place in or secure with a sling to raise or lower.

11. to raise, lower, etc., by such means.

12. to hang by a sling or place so as to swing loosely: to sling a rifle over one's shoulder.

13. to suspend: to sling a hammock between two trees.

14. sling hash, Slang. to work as a waiter or waitress, esp. at a lunch counter or cheap restaurant.

[1175-1225; (v.) ME slyngen < ON slyngva to sling, fling, c. OE slingan to wind, twist; (n.) ME, perh. deriv. of the v., though sense "strap, hoist" may be of distinct orig.]

Syn. 9. pitch, toss.

sling²

/sling/, n.

an iced alcoholic drink, typically containing gin, water, sugar, and lemon or lime juice.

[1785-95, Amer.; of uncert. orig.]

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▪ weapon

      implement for propelling missiles, one of the first missile weapons used in warfare. It consisted of a small strap or socket of leather to which two cords were attached. The warrior, or slinger, held the ends of the cords in one hand, placed the missile snugly in the strap, and whirled the socket and missile rapidly around his head; by letting go of one cord at the right moment, the slinger could let the missile fly out of the socket at a high speed. In another type, the sling was attached to a short staff that was held in both hands; it was used for heavier missiles, especially in siege operations during the European Middle Ages.

      There are many references to slings and slingers in the Bible; the left-handed slingers of Benjamin were famous (Judges 20:16), and the young David slew Goliath with a sling (1 Samuel 17). Assyrian monuments show slings, which were also used by the Egyptian army after the 8th century BC. The Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC) spoke of the slingers in the army offered by Gelon to serve against the Persians. Other ancient Greek writers indicated that the sling was primarily a weapon of barbarian troops, though the Achaeans (Achaean) are credited with having invented a sling that discharged a bolt with an iron head. In the Roman army of the time of the Punic Wars (3rd–2nd century BC), the slingers were auxiliaries from Greece, Syria, and Africa. The Balearic (Balearic Islands) islanders who constituted a part of Hannibal's Carthaginian army fighting the Romans were renowned as slingers.

      In medieval times the sling was much-used by Frankish armies, especially in defending trenches, while the staff sling was used against fortifications in the 14th century. Until the 17th century the sling was used to throw grenades. A variation of the ancient hand weapon is the slingshot, a forked stick with an elastic band attached for hurling small pellets.

      The sling was an important weapon in pre-Columbian America and was the only indigenous weapon feared by the Spanish conquistadores.

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