fling
verbEtymology 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
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.1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, Charles Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Seventh Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC:
- I know thy generous temper well. / ' but the appearance of dishonour on it, / It straight takes fire.1712 (date written), [Joseph] Addison, Cato, a Tragedy. […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson, […], published 1713, →OCLC, Act I, scene i, page 4:
2 more examples
- 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.2011, Tom Fordyce, Rugby World Cup 2011: England 12-19 France:
- Signalman Bridges was killed by the blast, as was fireman Nightall. Amazingly, driver Gimbert came round some 200 yards away, on the grass outside the Station Hotel where he had been flung.2022 January 12, Benedict le Vay, “The heroes of Soham...”, in RAIL, number 948, page 43:
2
Literary To move (oneself) abruptly or violently; to rush or dash.
- And crop-full, out of doors he flings.a. 1645, John Milton, “L’Allegro”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, […], London: […] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, […], published 1646, →OCLC:
- I see, sir, said I, I see what a man I am with. […] And away I flung, leaving him seemingly vexed, and in confusion.1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter CXIII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC:
2 more examples
- I flung closer to his breast, / As sword that, after battle, flings to sheath.1856, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “(please specify either |book=1 to 9 or the page)”, in Aurora Leigh, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1857, →OCLC:
- "We beseech your Majesty—" said Glozelle, but Miraz had flung out of the tent and they could hear him bawling out his acceptance to Edmund.1951, C. S. Lewis, Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia:
3
Archaic To throw; to wince; to flounce.
- The horse flung most potently, making his heels fly aloft in the air.1836, Helen Crocket, The Ettrick Shepherd's Last Tale:
4
Literary To utter abusive language; to sneer.
- The scold began to flout and fling.