clingとは

語源 1

From Middle English clingen, from 古期英語 clingan (“to adhere”), from Proto-Germanic *klinganą. Cognate with Danish klynge (“to cluster, to crowd”). Compare clump.

名詞

cling (複数形 clings)

1. Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
   • 1908, O. Henry, Hostages to Momus:

     Antelope steaks and fried liver to begin on, and venison cutlets with chili con carne and pineapple fritters, and then some sardines and mixed pickles; and top it off with a can of yellow clings and a bottle of beer.

2. adherence; attachment; devotion
   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     A more tenacious cling to worldly respects.

動詞

cling (三人称単数 現在形 clings, 現在分詞 clinging, 過去形および過去分詞形 clung)

2. To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.

   Seaweed clung to the anchor.

   • 2017, Jennifer S. Holland, For These Monkeys, It’s a Fight for Survival., National Geographic (March 2017)[1]

     Cartoonish, wide-eyed infants cling to their mothers or play together low to the ground.

   • 1823, Felicia Dorothea Browne Hemans, The Vespers of Palermo‎^[2], Act the First:

     And what hath life for thee / That thou shouldst cling to it thus?

3. To adhere to an object, without being affixed, in such a way as to follow its contours. Used especially of fabrics and films.
4. (transitive) To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing.
   • (Can we date this quote?) Jonathan Swift

     I clung legs as close to his side as I could.

5. (transitive) To cause to dry up or wither.
   • c. 1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, Act V, scene v

     If thou speak'st false, / Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, / Till famine cling thee.

6. (figuratively, with preposition to) to be fond of, to feel strongly about

派生語

• clingy
• cling film/clingfilm

参照

• cling in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• cling in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• Notes:

語源 2

Imitative; compare clink, clang.

動詞

cling (三人称単数 現在形 clings, 現在分詞 clinging, 過去形および過去分詞形 clinged)

1. To produce a high-pitched ringing sound, like a small bell.
   • 1913, Cleveland Moffett, ‎Oliver Herford, The Bishop's Purse (page 121)

     The tiny chimes clinged the hours and quarters against his right and Kate's left ear. They counted nine and three-quarters.

   • 2003, Femi Abodunrin, The Dancing Masquerade, page 24:

     The latter, armed with the most famous tool of their trade — tiny clinging bells — created a small band of untrained orchestra giving their part of the market a festive outlook […]