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fling

noun
/ˈflɪŋ/

Etymology

From Middle English flyngen, from Old Norse flengja (“to whip”), from Proto-Germanic *flangijaną (“to beat, whip”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂k- (“to beat”), from Proto-Indo-European *pleh₂k-, *pleh₂g- (“to beat”). Cognate with Icelandic flengja (“to spank”), Norwegian flengja (“to rip, tear, or fling open”).

  1. derived from *pel-✻
  2. derived from *pleh₂k-✻ — “to beat”
  3. derived from *flangijaną✻ — “to beat, whip”
  4. derived from flengja — “to whip”
  5. inherited from flyngen

Definitions

  1. An act of throwing, often violently.

  2. An act of moving the limbs or body with violent movements, especially in a dance.

    • the fling of a horse

  3. An act or period of unrestrained indulgence, enthusiasm, or both.

    • When I was as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of pleasure.
    • "I am inclined to go and have a fling with them. Why not all of us — just for a minute or two — it will not detain us long?"
    • Here again steam is having its last fling, and the "dual link" drivers at Brunswick shed, Liverpool, already are alternating steam and diesel duties.
  4. ›+ 11 more definitions

    1. A short romantic, oftentimes sexual, relationship.

      • a summer fling
      • I had a fling with a girl I met on holiday.
      • Because I've noticed one thing / This ain't no summer fling

    2. An attempt, a try.

      • give it a fling

    3. A severe or contemptuous remark

      A severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of sarcastic scorn; a gibe or taunt.

      • I, who love to have a fling, / Both at senate house and king.
      • I can just make out clearly that he is having a good fling at the Pope. The congregation, numbering about two hundred, are evidently very much pleased with the clergyman's endeavour.

    4. A lively Scottish country dance.

      • the Highland fling

    5. A party, especially a dance party.

      • a spring fling

    6. A trifling matter

      A trifling matter; an object of contempt.

      • ante 1800, old proverb England were but a fling / Save for the crooked stick and the grey goose wing.

    7. To throw with violence or quick movement

      To throw with violence or quick movement; to hurl.

      • 'Tis Fate that casts the Dice, and as she flings, Of Kings makes Pedants, and of Pedants Kings.
      • I know thy generous temper well. / ' but the appearance of dishonour on it, / It straight takes fire.

    8. To move (oneself) abruptly or violently

      To move (oneself) abruptly or violently; to rush or dash.

      • And crop-full, out of doors he flings.
      • I see, sir, said I, I see what a man I am with. […] And away I flung, leaving him seemingly vexed, and in confusion.
      • I flung closer to his breast, / As sword that, after battle, flings to sheath.

    9. To throw

      To throw; to wince; to flounce.

      • The horse flung most potently, making his heels fly aloft in the air.

    10. To utter abusive language

      To utter abusive language; to sneer.

      • The scold began to flout and fling.

    11. A surname.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for fling. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA