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Fling vs Sling - What's the difference?

fling | sling |

Sling is a synonym of fling.



As nouns the difference between fling and sling

is that fling is an act of throwing, often violently while sling is 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.

As verbs the difference between fling and sling

is that fling is to throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl while sling is to throw with a circular or arcing motion.

fling

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An act of throwing, often violently.
  • An act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements, especially in a dance.
    • the fling of a horse
  • An act or period of unrestrained indulgence.
  • * D. Jerrold
    • When I was as young as you, I had my fling . I led a life of pleasure.
  • Short, often sexual relationship.
    • I had a fling with a girl I met on holiday.
  • (figuratively) An attempt, a try (as in "give it a fling" ).
  • (obsolete) A severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of sarcastic scorn; a gibe; a sarcasm.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • I, who love to have a fling , / Both at senate house and king.
  • A kind of dance.
    • the Highland fling
  • (obsolete) A trifing matter; an object of contempt.
  • * Old proverb
    • England were but a fling / Save for the crooked stick and the grey goose wing.

    Synonyms

    * (l)

    Verb

  • To throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.
  • * Dryden
    • 'Tis Fate that flings the dice: and, as she flings, / Of kings makes peasants, and of peasants kings.
  • * Addison
    • I know thy generous temper well. / Fling but the appearance of dishonour on it, / It straight takes fire.
  • * 2011 , Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15210221.stm]
    • Wilkinson was struggling, sending the re-start straight into touch and flinging a pass the same way, and France then went close to the first try of the contest as Clerc took a long pass out on the left and was just bundled into touch by the corner flag.
  • (archaic) To throw oneself in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste.
  • * Milton
    • And crop-full, out of doors he flings .
  • * Elizabeth Browning
    • I flung' closer to his breast, / As sword that, after battle, ' flings to sheath.
  • (archaic) To throw; to wince; to flounce.
  • * Helen Crocket, The Ettrick Shepherd's Last Tale
    • The horse flung most potently, making his heels fly aloft in the air.
  • (archaic) To utter abusive language; to sneer.
    • The scold began to flout and fling .

    sling

    English

    Verb

  • To throw with a circular or arcing motion.
    • (Addison)
  • To throw with a sling.
  • * Bible, Judges xx. 16
    • Everyone could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss.
  • (nautical) To pass a rope around (a cask, gun, etc.) preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.

    • Derived terms

    * undersling

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (weapon) 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.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1786, author=Francis Grose, title=A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page=43
    • , passage=The Sling is also a weapon of great antiquity, formerly in high estimation among the ancients.}}
  • A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported.
  • A loop of cloth, worn around the neck, for supporting a baby.
  • A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering.
  • A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder.
  • (nautical) A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; -- chiefly in the plural.
  • The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke.
  • * Milton
    • At one sling / Of thy victorious arm, well-pleasing Son.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1600, author=William Shakespeare, title=Hamlet'', Act III, Scene I, line 55
    • , passage=To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them.}}
  • (climbing) A loop of rope or fabric tape used for various purposes: e.g. as part of a runner, or providing extra protection when abseiling or belaying.
  • A drink composed of a spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.
    • gin sling
    a Singapore sling