cling / kling/ • v. (past and past part. clung / kləng/ ) [intr.] (cling to/onto/on) (of a person or animal) hold on tightly to: she clung to Joe's arm fig. she clung onto life. ∎  (cling to) adhere or stick firmly or closely to; be hard to part or remove from: the fabric clung to her smooth skin. ∎  (cling to) remain very close to: the fish cling to the line of the weed. ∎  remain persistently or stubbornly faithful to something: she clung resolutely to her convictions. ∎  be overly dependent on someone emotionally: you are clinging to him for security.DERIVATIVES: cling·er n.

cling †coagulate, congeal; †shrink, wither OE.; adhere, stick, cleave XIII. OE. clingan (str. vb.), corr. to MDu. klingen stick, adhere, beside OE. clengan, ME. clenge adhere, cling; f. Gmc. *klaŋg- *kliŋg- *kluŋg-; see CLENCH.