Flung

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈflʌŋ/

Definitions

  1. To be thrown forcefully or suddenly | To have propelled something with a sudden motion | To be launched or cast away with great force
  2. To be propelled through the air with a quick motion | To have been tossed or discarded with intensity | To be sent flying or scattered by a forceful act
  3. To have been thrown with great energy or speed | To have been cast away suddenly or forcefully | To be launched or expelled rapidly from a specific point

Etymology: The past tense and past participle form "flung" comes from the verb "fling," which means to throw something with force or recklessness. The base verb "fling" has been part of the English language since at least the Old English period, with roots tracing back to the Old Norse word "flengja," which also meant to throw or cast. This Norse influence entered English during the Viking Age, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of England, where Norse settlers mingled with Anglo-Saxons. The word "fling" itself is notable for its energetic and vivid sense of motion, capturing the quick, forceful action of throwing. The irregular past tense "flung" developed as part of the common pattern in strong verbs, which often change their vowel sounds rather than simply adding a suffix like "-ed." This vowel change from the "i" sound in "fling" to the "u" sound in "flung" follows a pattern seen in other verbs such as "sing" and "sung," or "ring" and "rung." This irregular formation is a hallmark of many Old English strong verbs, which survive in modern English despite the overwhelming influence of regular verb conjugation patterns. The -ng ending is characteristic of these verbs, linking "flung" closely with a family of words that convey dynamic, often physical actions. Though "fling" and "flung" have remained relatively stable in meaning over the centuries, they continue to evoke a sense of impulsiveness or abandon, reinforcing the physicality embedded in their origin. The vividness of the word likely contributed to its retention in everyday language, preserving a small but expressive piece of Old Norse influence within English.

Synonyms: thrown, cast, hurl, lobbed, projected

Antonyms: caught, held, retracted, recovered, returned