1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a strap, belt, etc., used to support or raise a hanging weight, e.g. a rifle, a ship's boat, or goods being transferred.
2 a bandage looped round the neck to support an injured arm.
3 a strap or string used with the hand to give impetus to a small missile, esp. a stone.
4 Austral. sl. a tip or bribe.
--v.tr. (past and past part. slung)
1. (also absol.) hurl (a stone etc.) from a sling.
2 colloq. throw.
3 suspend with a sling, allow to swing suspended, arrange so as to be supported from above, hoist or transfer with a sling.
Phrases and idioms:
sling-back
1. a shoe held in place by a strap above the heel.
2 (in full sling-back chair) a chair with a fabric seat suspended from a rigid frame. sling-bag a bag with a long strap which may be hung from the shoulder. sling one's hook see HOOK. sling off at Austral. & NZ sl. disparage; mock; make fun of. slung shot a metal ball attached by a thong etc. to the wrist and used esp. by criminals as a weapon.
Etymology: ME, prob. f. ON slyngva (v.) 2. n. a sweetened drink of spirits (esp. gin) and water.
Etymology: 18th c.: orig. unkn.