sling¹ / sling/ • n. 1. a flexible strap or belt used in the form of a loop to support or raise a weight: the horse had to be supported by a sling fixed to the roof. ∎  a bandage or soft strap looped around the neck to support an injured arm: she had her arm in a sling. ∎  a pouch or frame for carrying a baby, supported by a strap around the neck or shoulders. ∎  a short length of rope used to provide additional support for the body in rappelling or climbing.2. a simple weapon in the form of a strap or loop, used to hurl stones or other small missiles.• v. (past slung / sləng/ ) 1. [tr.] suspend or arrange (something), esp. with a strap or straps, so that it hangs loosely in a particular position: a hammock was slung between two trees. ∎  carry (something, esp. a garment) loosely and casually: he had his jacket slung over one shoulder.2. [tr.] inf. throw; fling (often used to express the speaker's casual attitude): sling a few things into your knapsack. ∎  hurl (a stone or other missile) from a sling or similar weapon. ∎  hoist or transfer (something) with a sling: horse after horse was slung up from the barges.PHRASES: put someone's (or have one's) ass in a sling vulgar slang cause someone to be (or be) in trouble.sling hash inf. serve food in a cafe or diner.slings and arrows used with reference to adverse factors or circumstances: the slings and arrows of outrageous critics.DERIVATIVES: sling·er n.sling² • n. a sweetened drink of liquor, esp. gin, and water. See also Singapore sling.

sling2 device for securing or grasping bulky objects XIV; strap, band, loop for suspension XVIII. The immed. source is doubtful; poss. identical with prec. (the senses of LG. slinge, G. schlinge noose, snare, arm-sling, to some extent correspond).
Hence vb. XVI.

sling (sling) n. a bandage arranged to support and rest an injured limb so that healing is not hindered by activity. The most common sling is a triangular bandage tied behind the neck to support the weight of a broken arm.

sling3 pt., pp. slung throw, cast with or as with a sling. XIII. prob. — ON. str. vb. slyngva; cf. OHG. slingan (G. schlingen wind, twist).

sling1 strap for hurling missiles. XIII. prob. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. MLG. slinge, corr. to OHG. slinga). See foll.