Lashing
'læʃɪŋ
Definitions
5 meaningsTo strike or beat something violently with a whip or a similar object; to strike or beat against something forcefully.
'læʃɪŋ
To strike or beat with a whip or similar instrument.
The angry captain lashed out at the crew.
💡 Simply: Imagine a strong wind hitting the trees really hard – like the wind is giving them a good smack. That's lashing! Or imagine someone whipping a horse, that is lashing too.
👶 For kids: When you use something like a whip to hit someone or something hard.
More Examples
The storm was lashing the ship with waves.
The cruel master was known for lashing his slaves.
How It's Used
"The prisoner was lashing for his crimes."
"The storm lashed the coast with rain and wind."
To secure or bind something with a rope, cord, or similar material.
'læʃɪŋ
To fasten securely with a rope or cord.
The explorers were lashing their equipment to the raft.
💡 Simply: Imagine tying up a package with string, making sure it's super secure. That's lashing, making sure things are safe and won't fall apart when they're together.
👶 For kids: Tying things together with rope or string so they don't fall apart.
More Examples
They lashed the luggage to the roof of the car.
The workers lashed the scaffolding to the building.
How It's Used
"The sailors were lashing the cargo to the deck."
"He lashed the branches together to build a shelter."
An instance of striking someone or something with a whip or similar object. A blow from a whip.
'læʃɪŋ
An instance of striking someone or something with a whip.
The soldiers were given lashes as punishment.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone getting whipped - each hit is a 'lashing'.
👶 For kids: When a whip hits you or something.
More Examples
He bore the lashes with a stoic expression.
How It's Used
"The prisoner received ten lashes as punishment."
A violent blow or stroke (with a whip, etc.); a severe rebuke.
'læʃɪŋ
A violent beating with a whip or rope.
The rain and wind delivered a relentless lashing.
💡 Simply: When the wind howls and hits everything really hard, it's like the wind is giving things a lashing!
👶 For kids: A hard hit with a whip or something like that.
More Examples
He could feel the lashing of the waves against his face.
The politician received a lashing from the press regarding the scandal.
How It's Used
"The story vividly described the lashing of the storm."
The act of securing or fastening something with a rope, cord, etc.
'læʃɪŋ
The act of securing something with a rope.
The quality of the lashing was critical for the safety of the cargo.
💡 Simply: When you are tying down something with a rope so it won't move around, like securing something with a rope, that’s lashing!
👶 For kids: When you tie things together really tight with string or rope.
More Examples
He was careful about the lashing of the boat to the dock.
How It's Used
"The structural engineer was making sure the lashing was secure."
Idioms & expressions
lash out
To suddenly attack someone physically or verbally.
"He lashed out at the referee after the controversial call."
lash down
To tie something securely.
"The sailors lashed down the cargo to the deck."
From Middle English laschen, from Old French laschier ("to loosen, let go"), probably from *lasc, from Latin laxare ("to loosen").
Historically, 'lashing' was used in both literal and figurative senses of striking or binding, with the literal use prevalent during times of corporal punishment.
Memory tip
Think of the sound a whip makes – 'lash!' - as it strikes. Lashing is the action of using the whip.
Word Origin
"to loosen, let go"