læʃ v. & n. --v. 1 intr.
make a
sudden whiplike
movement with a limb or
flexible instrument. 2 tr.
beat with a
whip,
rope, etc. 3 intr.
pour or rush with
great force. 4 intr. (foll. by
at, against)
strike violently. 5 tr.
castigate in words. 6 tr.
urge on as with a lash. 7 tr. (foll. by down,
together, etc.)
fasten with a
cord, rope, etc. 8 tr. (of
rain, wind, etc.) beat forcefully
upon. --n. 1 a a
sharp blow
made by a whip, rope, etc. b (prec. by the)
punishment by
beating with a whip etc. 2
the flexible
end of a whip. 3 (usu. in pl.) an
eyelash. ølash
out 1
speak or
hit out angrily. 2
spend money extravagantly, be
lavish. lash-up a
makeshift or improvised
structure or
arrangement. øølasher n. lashingly adv. (esp. in senses 4-5 of v.). lashless adj. [ME: prob. imit.]