cling 1
— clinger , n. — clingingly , adv. — clingingness , n.
/kling/ , v. , clung, clinging , n.
v.i.
1. to adhere closely; stick to: The wet paper clings to the glass.
2. to hold tight, as by grasping or embracing; cleave: The children clung to each other in the dark.
3. to be or remain close: The child clung to her mother's side.
4. to remain attached, as to an idea, hope, memory, etc.: Despite the predictions, the candidate clung to the belief that he would be elected.
5. to cohere.
n.
6. the act of clinging; adherence; attachment.
[ bef. 900; ME clingen, OE clingan to stick together, shrink, wither; akin to CLENCH ]
Syn. 2. clutch, grab, hug.
cling 2
/kling/ , n.
a clingstone.
[ 1835-45; by shortening from clingstone, or special use of CLING 1 (n.) ]