Lash Meaning
/læʃ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe thong or braided cord of a whip, with which the blow is given.
nounA leash in which an animal is caught or held; hence, a snare.
Sentence Examples
Don't lash out at me just because my brother treated you badly.
Tom's going on the lash tonight.
The sea waves lash incessantly against the cliffs.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She got an eyelash stuck in her eye, so she tried to remove the stray ____ with a tissue.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He had a small speck of dust stuck to his eye ____, which made him feel very uncomfortable earlier today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English lashe, lasshe, lasche (“a stroke; the flexible end of a whip”), from Proto-Germanic *laskô (“flap of fabric, strap”). Cognate with Dutch lasch, las (“a piece; seal; joint; notch; seam”), German Low German Laske, Lask (“a flap; dag; strap”), German Lasche (“a flap; joint; strap; tongue; scarf”), Swedish lask (“scarf”), Icelandic laski (“the bottom part of a glove”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I observed that your whip wanted a lash to it."
— 1711 July 14 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, July 4, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 108; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC:
"The moral is a lash at the vanity of arrogating that to ourselves which succeeds well."
— 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC:
"But Richmond, his grandfather's darling, after one thoughtful glance cast under his lashes at that uncompromising countenance appeared to lose himself in his own reflections."
— 1959, Georgette Heyer, chapter 1, in The Unknown Ajax:
"Much-loved characters living on after their author’s death is not so unusual these days. Every second bloke in possession of a keyboard seems to have had a lash at a James Bond thriller, including Kingsley Amis, John Gardner, Raymond Benson, Jeffery Deaver, William Boyd, Anthony Horowitz, Christopher Wood and Sebastian Faulks."
— 2021 August 28, Grant Smithies, “The Dark Remains: Ian Rankin's 'terrifying' return”, in Stuff:
"“I felt I’d go out and grab the bull by the horns and give it a good lash and I’m very pleased to come away with second in my very first Diamond League final.”"
— 2022 September 9, Cathal Dennehy, “Ciara Mageean shines in Diamond League to claim second”, in Irish Examiner:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She got an eyelash stuck in her eye, so she tried to remove the stray ____ with a tissue.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He had a small speck of dust stuck to his eye ____, which made him feel very uncomfortable earlier today.