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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Sling, Slyng, v. P.t. slang. P.p. slongyne, slungin. [ME and e.m.E. s(c)lyng (c1400), sling (c1440), slyngyn (Prompt. Parv.). P.t. slong (a1225), slang (Cursor M.). P.p. slungen (c1400), slongen (c1400), ON slyngva, cf. MHG, MLG, MDu. slingen to creep, wind, twist, MHG, mod. Germ. dial. to throw.] tr. To throw, cast, hurl (a person or thing). Const. prep. phr. indicating direction, etc. Also fig. Also const. doun, away. b. specif. To throw, etc. (a missile) (? occas. as from a sling (Slung n.). c. To whirl (a person) round ? as if in a sling.(1) pres. 1513 Doug. v iv 148.
The entralis … far in the fludis brak, … sal I slyng 1531 Bell. Boece I xliv.
Thay cleik thaim [sc. mussels] up with thair tayis, and slingis thaim to the nixt brayis c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iv 688.
Gar sling him ouir the wall 1596 Dalr. I 196/9.
He slingis the ansinȝie out of his handfig. 1596 Dalr. II 78/1.
The Duke of Ȝork, willing to be in authoritie of king, intendis to sling the king from his saitp.t. 1375 Barb. xvi 659.
He ewyn apon his bak him slang 1375 Barb. xvii 645.
Leddrys to the ground thai slang a1400 Leg. S. xx 250.
Ane the sewine sarkis vpe has tane & slang thame in the fyre c1450-2 Howlat 490 (A).
Amang the hethin men the hert hardely he slang c1515 Asl. MS I 206/26.
Alexander … slang his swerd in the se 1533 Bell. Livy I 111/21. 1619 Crim. Trials III 474.
Thay thaireftir cayreit him to ane peit moss … quhairin they slang himp.p. a1400 Leg. S. xlix 242.
Triphena … Is slongyne far in-to the feld c1409-1436 Kingis Q. § 165.
Sum were slungin, Be quhirlyng of the quhele, vnto the ground(2) c1420 Wynt. vi 810 (W).
In a pule under the brig Thai slang him doune 1513 Doug. xiii i 17.
Thai … Thar scheldis of thar schuldris slang away 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 250.
[They put violent hands on the complainer,] slang him doun upoun his bak [etc.]b. 1513 Doug. i i 76.
The wild fyre down scho slang Furth of the clowdis 1513 Doug. ii v 49.
The Troiane fyry blesis, … On Grekis schippis thyk fald he slang 1513 Doug. ii viii 20.
The gilt sperris and gestis gold begane Down on thame slyng thai 1513 Doug. ix viii 125.
The Troianys … All kynd of wapynnys and dartis at thame slyngis 1513 Doug. ix viii 145. 1531 Bell. Boece II 34.
Thay maid sindry fagottis thairof [sc. heather] and eftir that thay had put thaim in fire, thay slang thaim ouir the hill 1533 Boece 580b.
The inhabitantis … sum tyme assalȝeing schippis, slang in fyre 1540 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 223.
Quhen he coucht nocht ourhy thaim he slang the portioun of that tre at thaim 1594 Misc. Bann. C. III 170.
He thocht he saw Fawdoun, quhome he had slain the day befoir, slinging his heid at him, and he cleikit it be the hair, and slang it at him agane 1623 Peebles Gleanings 17.
Hectour Dikesone tuik upe thrie grit stanes, and perforce slang the same at the said Jamesc. 1627 Justiciary Cases I 68.
The said Alexr. … gripit him be the girdle … slang him round about him thryse or foure tymes and thairefter … threw him to the grund