I. ˈkliŋ verb
( clung ˈkləŋ ; also now dialect clang ˈklaŋ, -aiŋ ; clung ; clinging ; clings )
Etymology: Middle English clingen, from Old English clingan; akin to Old High German klunga tangled ball of thread, Old Norse klungr hip, haw, Middle Irish glacc hand, Greek gelgis head of garlic, Sanskrit gṛñja kind of garlic, Latin galla gallnut — more at gall
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to hold to each other cohesively and firmly : resist forces or influences acting to separate or disperse — often used with together
the fused particles cling together
all our vessels clung together, as if for company — Kenneth Roberts
b. : to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously (as with the hands or feet) and to resist pressure to separate or dislodge
the sailors were obliged to cling , to prevent being washed away — Frederick Marryat
: to adhere closely and firmly as if glued
their soaked garments clinging to the curves of their figures — J.C.Powys
c. : to become situated as if holding firmly and resisting pressure to dislodge or separate
a bluff to which hotels and residences cling
parched plants clinging to the drought-stricken soil
2. now dialect Britain : to become emaciated : shrink , shrivel , wither
3.
a. : to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence
weak-willed and purposeless he clung to all who offered the least sign of sympathy
b.
(1) : to have or continue to have strong emotional or intellectual loyalty or stubborn attachment or belief
clinging pathetically to his worn-out creeds and dogmas
clung to the hope that her son had survived
(2) : to continue on a course of action or policy as if resisting efforts to interrupt or distract
clung resolutely to his work — J.A.Froude
(3) : to hold on tenaciously as if resisting dispossession
clinging grimly to his few wretched acres
c. : to remain or linger as if resisting complete dissipation or dispersal
the odor of mignonette still clung to the room
: remain habitually or continuously associated
the nickname clung to him throughout his life
d. : to become retained and survive as a practice or belief
this habit of saving … would cling to her for the rest of her life — Ellen Glasgow
transitive verb
1. now dialect England : to stick (objects) together : cause to adhere
2. obsolete : to cause (as one's fingers) to hold tightly
Synonyms: see adhere
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the act or an instance of clinging : adherence
2. : clingstone
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: probably alteration of clink (II)
: a sharp high metallic ringing sound
the cling of the coin as it fell on the stone floor
the cling of the busy till — John Prebble
IV. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make a cling
the coin clinged as it hit the stone floor