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CLING
cling, clingstone
(noun) fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit
cling, hang
(verb) hold on tightly or tenaciously; “hang on to your father’s hands”; “The child clung to his mother’s apron”
cling, cleave, adhere, stick, cohere
(verb) come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation; “The dress clings to her body”; “The label stuck to the box”; “The sushi rice grains cohere”
cling
(verb) to remain emotionally or intellectually attached; “He clings to the idea that she might still love him.”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology 1
Noun
cling (plural clings)
Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
adherence; attachment; devotion
Verb
cling (third-person singular simple present clings, present participle clinging, simple past and past participle clung)
To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.
To adhere to an object, without being affixed, in such a way as to follow its contours. Used especially of fabrics and films.
(transitive) To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing.
(transitive) To cause to dry up or wither.
(intransitive) To dry up or wither.
(figurative, with preposition to) to be fond of, to feel strongly about and dependent on
Synonyms
• (hold tightly): clinch, grip; see also grasp
• (adhere): cleave, stick; see also adhere
Etymology 2
Verb
cling (third-person singular simple present clings, present participle clinging, simple past and past participle clinged)
To produce a high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell.
Source: Wiktionary
Cling, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Clung, Clong (Obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Clinging.] Etym: [AS. clingan to adhere, to wither; akin to Dan. klynge to cluster, crowd. Cf. Clump.]
Definition: To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast, especially by twining round or embracing; as, the tendril of a vine clings to its support; -- usually followed by to or together. And what hath life for thee That thou shouldst cling to it thus Mrs. Hemans.
Cling, v. t.
1. To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embraching. [Obs.] I clung legs as close to his side as I could. Swift.
2. To make to dry up or wither. [Obs.] If thou speak'st false, Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, Till famine cling thee. Shak.
Cling, n.
Definition: Adherence; attachment; devotion. [R.] A more tenacious cling to worldly respects. Milton.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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Word of the Day
22 February 2025
ANALYSIS
(noun) the use of closed-class words instead of inflections: e.g., ‘the father of the bride’ instead of ‘the bride’s father’
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