sling

n. [ OE. slinge; akin to OD. slinge, D. slinger, OHG. slinga; cf. OF. eslingue, of German origin. See Sling, v. t. ] 1. An instrument for throwing stones or other missiles, consisting of a short strap with two strings fastened to its ends, or with a string fastened to one end and a light stick to the other. The missile being lodged in a hole in the strap, the ends of the string are taken in the hand, and the whole whirled rapidly round until, by loosing one end, the missile is let fly with centrifugal force. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke. [ 1913 Webster ]

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

At one sling
Of thy victorius arm, well-pleasing Son. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A contrivance for sustaining anything by suspension; as: (a) A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported. (b) A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering. (c) A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder. (d) (Naut.) A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; -- chiefly in the plural. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sling cart, a kind of cart used to transport cannon and their carriages, large stones, machines, etc., the objects transported being slung, or suspended by a chain attached to the axletree. --
Sling dog, one of a pair of iron hooks used as part of a sling. See def. 3 (b) above. [ 1913 Webster ]