Category:Sling

Sling, n. Etym: [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 Sling, v. t. [imp. Slung, archaic slang (p. p. Slung; p. pr. & vb. N. Slinging.] Etym: [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)

Defn: to pass a rope round, as a cask, gun, etc., preparatory to Attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.

Sling Sling, n. Etym: [cf. G. schlingen to swallow.]

Defn: a drink composed of spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened. Sling.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Sling - With a sling and a stone David smote the Philistine giant (1 Samuel 17:40, 1 Samuel 17:49). There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand they "could sling stones at a hair breadth, and not miss" (Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:2). It was used by the Israelites in war (2 Kings 3:25). (See ARMS.) The words in Proverbs 26:8, "As he that bindeth a stone in a sling," etc. (Authorized Category:Version), should rather, as in the Revised Category:Version, be "As a bag of gems in a heap of stones," etc.