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

23 December 2024

QUANDONG

(noun) Australian tree having hard white timber and glossy green leaves with white flowers followed by one-seeded glossy blue fruit


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Coffee Trivia

In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.

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