Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lash?

\Lash\ (l[a^]sh), n. [OE. lasche; cf. D. lasch piece set in, joint, seam, G. lashe latchet, a bit of leather, gusset, stripe, laschen to furnish with flaps, to lash or slap, Icel. laski gusset, flap, laska to break.] 1. The thong or braided cord of a whip, with which the blow is given. I observed that your whip wanted a lash to it. --Addison. 2. A leash in which an animal is caught or held; hence, a snare. [Obs.] 3. A stroke with a whip, or anything pliant and tough; as, the culprit received thirty-nine lashes. 4. A stroke of satire or sarcasm; an expression or retort that cuts or gives pain; a cut. The moral is a lash at the vanity of arrogating that to ourselves which succeeds well. --L'Estrange. 5. A hair growing from the edge of the eyelid; an eyelash. 6. In carpet weaving, a group of strings for lifting simultaneously certain yarns, to form the figure.
\Lash\ (l[a^]sh), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lashed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Lashng}.] 1. To strike with a lash; to whip or scourge with a lash, or with something like one. We lash the pupil, and defraud the ward. --Dryden. 2. To strike forcibly and quickly, as with a lash; to beat, or beat upon, with a motion like that of a lash; as, a whale lashes the sea with his tail. And big waves lash the frighted shores. --Dryden. 3. To throw out with a jerk or quickly. He falls, and lashing up his heels, his rider throws. --Dryden. 4. To scold; to berate; to satirize; to censure with severity; as, to lash vice.
\Lash\, v. i. To ply the whip; to strike; to utter censure or sarcastic language. To laugh at follies, or to lash at vice. --Dryden. {To lash out}, to strike out wildly or furiously.
\Lash\, v. t. [Cf. D. lasschen to fasten together, lasch piece, joint, Sw. laska to stitch, Dan. laske stitch. See {Lash}, n. ] To bind with a rope, cord, thong, or chain, so as to fasten; as, to lash something to a spar; to lash a pack on a horse's back.