lash
1 (lăsh)
[Middle English, probably from lashen, to deal a blow, perhaps of imitative origin.]
noun
- A stroke or blow with or as if with a whip.
- A whip.
- The flexible portion of a whip, such as a plait or thong.
- Punishment administered with a whip.
- A lacerating presence or power: the lash of conscience.
- A caustic verbal attack.
- An eyelash.
verb: lashed, lash·ing, lash·es.
transitive verb
- To strike with or as if with a whip.
- To strike against with force or violence: sleet lashing the roof.
- To beat or swing rapidly: The alligator lashed its tail in the water.
- To make a scathing oral or written attack against.
- To drive or goad; sting: words that lashed them into action.
intransitive verb
- To move swiftly or violently; thrash: heard the snake lashing about in the leaves.
- To aim a sudden blow; strike: The mule lashed out with its hind legs.
- To beat; flail: waves lashing at the shore.
- To make a scathing verbal or written attack. Often used with out: lashed out at her critics during the interview.
derivatives
- lash́er
- noun
lash
2 (lăsh)
[Middle English lashen, lasen, to lace, from Old French lachier, lacier, from Vulgar Latin* laceāre, from Latin laqueāre, to ensnare, from laqueus, snare; see lace.]
transitive verb: lashed, lash·ing, lash·es.
- To secure or bind, as with a rope, cord, or chain.
derivatives
- lash́er
- noun
