cling

cling
I. intransitive verb (clung; clinging) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English clingan; akin to Old High German klunga tangled ball of thread Date: before 12th century 1. a. to hold together b. to adhere as if glued firmly c. to hold or hold on tightly or tenaciously 2. a. to have a strong emotional attachment or dependence <
he clung to his friends for support
>
b. to remain or linger as if resisting complete dissipation or dispersal <
the odor clung to the room for hours
>
Synonyms: see stickclinger nounclingy adjective II. noun Date: circa 1625 an act or instance of clinging ; adherence

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • cling — [klıŋ] v past tense and past participle clung [klʌŋ] [: Old English; Origin: clingan] 1.) [always + adverb/preposition] to hold someone or something tightly, especially because you do not feel safe cling to/on/at etc ▪ He wailed and clung to his… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Cling — may refer to: Cling, a song by Days of the New from their 1997 album Days of the New (also known as the Orange album ) Static cling, a natural phenomenon when things stick together caused by static electricity, usually due to rubbing as in a… …   Wikipedia

  • cling — [ klıŋ ] (past tense and past participle clung [ klʌŋ ] ) verb intransitive ** 1. ) to hold onto something or someone tightly with your hands or arms, for example because you are afraid: Crossing the bridge, she felt dizzy and clung to the rails …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • cling — cling·i·ness; cling·ing·ly; cling·ing·ness; cling·stone; mus·cling; cling; …   English syllables

  • cling´er — cling «klihng», verb, clung, cling|ing, noun, adjective. –v.i. 1. to stick or hold fast: »A vine clings to its support. Wet clothes cling to the body. SYNONYM(S): adhere. 2. to grasp; …   Useful english dictionary

  • cling — interj. Cuvânt care imită sunetul clopoţeilor sau al zurgălăilor. ♦ Cuvânt care imită zgomotul produs de vibrarea sau de ciocnirea unor obiecte de metal sau de sticlă. [var.: clinc interj.] – Onomatopee. Trimis de RACAI, 30.09.2003. Sursa: DEX 98 …   Dicționar Român

  • cling|y — «KLIHNG ee», adjective, cling|i|er, cling|i|est. apt to cling; adhesive …   Useful english dictionary

  • Cling — Cling, n. Adherence; attachment; devotion. [R.] [1913 Webster] A more tenacious cling to worldly respects. Milton. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cling — (kl[i^]ng), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Clung} (kl[u^]ng), {Clong} (kl[o^]ng), Obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. {Clinging}.] [AS. clingan to adhere, to wither; akin to Dan. klynge to cluster, crowd. Cf. {Clump}.] To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cling — Cling, v. t. 1. To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] I clung legs as close to his side as I could. Swift. [1913 Webster] 2. To make to dry up or wither. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] If thou speak st… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cling — ► VERB (past and past part. clung) (cling to/on to) 1) hold on tightly to. 2) adhere or stick to. 3) remain persistently faithful to. 4) be emotionally dependent on. ORIGIN Old English, related to CLENCH …   English terms dictionary

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