lash

[ lash ]

/ læʃ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR lash ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the flexible part of a whip; the section of cord or the like forming the extremity of a whip.

a swift stroke or blow, with a whip or the like, given as a punishment: He received 20 lashes.

something that goads or pains in a manner compared to that of a whip: the lash of his sharp tongue.

a swift dashing or sweeping movement, as of an animal's tail; switch.

a violent beating or impact, as of waves or rain, against something.

an eyelash.

Also called neck cord. a cord or a series of cords for lifting the warp in weaving a figured fabric.

verb (used with object)

to strike or beat, as with a whip or something similarly slender and flexible.

to beat violently or sharply against: The rain lashed the trees.

to drive by or as if by strokes of a whip: He lashed them on to greater effort.

to attack, scold, or punish severely with words: She lashed the students with harsh criticism.

to dash, fling, or switch suddenly and swiftly: The crocodile lashed its tail.

verb (used without object)

to strike vigorously at someone or something, as with a weapon or whip (often followed by out): He lashed wildly at his attackers.

to attack or reprove someone with harsh words (often followed by out): to lash out at injustice.

to move suddenly and swiftly; rush, dash, or flash: The coiled snake lashed suddenly.

Chiefly British. to spend money lavishly or foolishly (usually followed by out).

Origin of lash

1300–50; Middle English lashe (noun), lashen (v.); perhaps of expressive orig.

SYNONYMS FOR lash

14 berate, scold, tongue-lash.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR lash ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM lash

lash·er, noun lash·ing·ly, adverb lash·less, adjective

Words nearby lash

laser treatment, laser tuning, laser-guided weapons, laserdisc, laserscope, lash, lash line, lash out, lash rail, lash-up, lashed

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (1 of 3)

lash out

verb (intr, adverb)

to burst into or resort to verbal or physical attack

British informal to be extravagant, as in spending

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (2 of 3)

lash ¹

/ (læʃ) /

noun

a sharp cutting blow from a whip or other flexible object twenty lashes was his punishment

the flexible end or ends of a whip

a cutting or hurtful blow to the feelings, as one caused by ridicule or scolding

a forceful beating or impact, as of wind, rain, or waves against something

See eyelash

have a lash Australian and NZ informal to make an attempt at or take part in (something)

verb (tr)

to hit (a person or thing) sharply with a whip, rope, etc, esp as a punishment

(of rain, waves, etc) to beat forcefully against

to attack with words, ridicule, etc

to flick or wave sharply to and fro the restless panther lashed his tail

to urge or drive with or as if with a whip to lash the audience into a violent mood

Derived forms of lash

lasher, noun lashingly, adverb

Word Origin for lash

C14: perhaps imitative

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (3 of 3)

lash ²

/ (læʃ) /

verb

(tr) to bind or secure with rope, string, etc

Derived forms of lash

lasher, noun

Word Origin for lash

C15: from Old French lachier, ultimately from Latin laqueāre to ensnare, from laqueus noose

Idioms and Phrases with lash out

lash out

Make a sudden blow or fierce verbal attack. For example, The mule lashed out with its hind legs, or After listening to Dad's criticism of his driving, Arthur lashed out at him. [Second half of 1500s]

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lash

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of lash

SYNONYMS FOR lash

OTHER WORDS FROM lash

Words nearby lash

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (1 of 3)

verb (intr, adverb)

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (2 of 3)

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of lash

Word Origin for lash

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (3 of 3)

verb

Derived forms of lash

Word Origin for lash

Idioms and Phrases with lash out

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

lash

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of lash

SYNONYMS FOR lash

OTHER WORDS FROM lash

Words nearby lash

Words related to lash out

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for lash out (1 of 3)

verb (intr, adverb)

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (2 of 3)

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of lash

Word Origin for lash

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (3 of 3)

verb

Derived forms of lash

Word Origin for lash

Idioms and Phrases with lash out

British Dictionary definitions for lash out (1 of 3)