Definition

1. Noun:

   • A rope or cord used for fastening or securing something: A "lashing" is a length of rope, cord, or similar material used to tie, bind, or secure objects together.
   • A beating or whipping, especially as a form of punishment: A "lashing" refers to the act of striking someone repeatedly with a whip, strap, or similar object, often as a judicial or disciplinary penalty.
   • (Informal, usually in plural: lashings) A large amount or abundance of something: In informal British English, "lashings" is used to mean a plentiful or generous quantity of a liquid, especially in the context of food and drink.

2. Adjective:

   • (Archaic) Urging on violently; scathing: Describes something, typically speech or criticism, that is harsh, severe, and vehement. This usage is less common in modern English.

Usage Examples

• Noun (as a rope):

  • The sailor checked the lashings that held the cargo to the deck.
  • We need strong lashings to secure the tent in this wind.

• Noun (as a beating):

  • The prisoner was sentenced to receive twenty lashes as a lashing.
  • In some historical regimes, theft was punished by public lashing.

• Noun (informal, as an abundance):

  • For dessert, we had apple pie with lashings of cream.
  • The novel described a feast with lashings of gravy and ale.

• Adjective:

  • The critic delivered a lashing review of the new play. (This usage is now quite formal or literary.)

Advanced Usage

• "To give someone a (verbal) lashing": To criticize someone severely and angrily.
  • The manager gave the team a lashing for their poor performance.

Variants and Related Words

• Lash (verb): To strike with or as if with a whip; to beat against forcefully (e.g., ); to fasten with a rope or cord.
• Lash (noun): A stroke or blow with a whip; the flexible part of a whip; an eyelash.
• Lash-out (phrasal verb): To suddenly attack someone or something physically or verbally.

Synonyms

• Noun (rope): Binding, cord, tie, fastening.
• Noun (beating): Flogging, whipping, thrashing, beating.
• Noun (abundance): Lots, heaps, loads, plenty, abundance.
• Adjective: Scathing, severe, harsh, vitriolic.

Related Phrases

• Lashings of: An informal phrase meaning "a lot of" or "plenty of."
  • After the hike, they drank lashings of hot tea.

Idioms

• A tongue-lashing: A severe scolding or reprimand.
  • He got a real tongue-lashing from his teacher for being late again.

Adjective

1. violently urging on by whipping or flogging
   • looked at the lashing riders

Noun

1. rope that is used for fastening something to something else
   • the boats were held together by lashings
2. beating with a whip or strap or rope as a form of punishment