Definition

1. Noun:

   • A quick, sharp blow or stroke delivered with a whip or a similar flexible object: The "lash" is the impact itself.
   • The flexible part of a whip, typically a strip of leather or cord: The "lash" is the striking end of the whip.
   • An eyelash; one of the short hairs growing on the edge of an eyelid.

2. Verb:

   • To strike or beat with or as if with a whip: To deliver a sharp, swift blow.
   • To move or strike with a sudden, violent, whipping motion: To move quickly and forcefully like a whip.
   • To attack verbally with harsh criticism; to censure severely: To criticize someone fiercely.
   • To bind or fasten securely with a rope, cord, or chain.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The pirate felt the cruel lash of the captain's whip.
  • He repaired the worn lash of his old bullwhip.
  • She applied mascara to her long, dark lashes.

• Verb (to strike/move):

  • The storm lashed the coastline with heavy rain and wind.
  • The cat's tail lashed back and forth in anger.
  • The critic lashed the director's new film, calling it a complete failure.

• Verb (to bind):

  • We need to lash these logs together to build a raft.

Advanced Usage

• "to lash out": To suddenly attack someone or something physically or verbally.

  • Feeling cornered, he lashed out at his critics.
  • The wounded animal lashed out at anyone who came near.

• "to lash something down": To secure something tightly with ropes or cords.

  • Make sure you lash the cargo down before we set sail.

Variants and Related Words

• Eyelash (n): A single hair on the edge of the eyelid. (A common compound form of the noun "lash").
• Lashing (n): 1. A beating with a whip. 2. A cord or rope used for binding.
  • The prisoner received twenty lashings.
  • We need more lashings to secure the tent.

Synonyms

• Verb (strike): Whip, flog, beat, thrash.
• Verb (criticize): Berate, castigate, lambaste, scold.
• Verb (bind): Bind, tie, fasten, secure.
• Noun (blow): Stroke, strike, blow.
• Noun (eyelash): Cilium (technical term).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Lash out (at): To make a sudden, angry attack (physical or verbal) against someone or something.
  • She lashed out at her brother for breaking her phone.
• Lash down: To tie something very securely to prevent movement.
  • The sailors lashed down the lifeboats during the storm.

Related Idioms

• On the lash (informal, chiefly British): Engaged in a session of heavy drinking.
  • They went out on the lash to celebrate.
• Under the lash: Subject to severe criticism or punishment.
  • The government has come under the lash from opposition parties.

Noun

1. a quick blow delivered with a whip or whiplike object
   • the whip raised a red welt
2. leather strip that forms the flexible part of a whip
3. any of the short curved hairs that grow from the edges of the eyelids

Verb

1. bind with a rope, chain, or cord
   • lash the horse
2. strike as if by whipping
   • The curtain whipped her face
3. lash or flick about sharply
   • The lion lashed its tail
4. beat severely with a whip or rod
   • The teacher often flogged the students
   • The children were severely trounced