Hypertext Webster Gateway: "cling"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cling \Cling\ (kl[i^]ng), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Clung}
(kl[u^]ng), {Clong} (kl[o^]ng), Obs.); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Clinging}.] [AS. clingan to adhere, to wither; akin to Dan.
klynge to cluster, crowd. Cf. {Clump}.]
To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast, especially by
twining round or embracing; as, the tendril of a vine clings
to its support; -- usually followed by to or together.
And what hath life for thee That thou shouldst cling to
it thus? --Mrs. Hemans.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cling \Cling\, v. t.
1. To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or
embracing. [Obs.]
I clung legs as close to his side as I could.
--Swift.
2. To make to dry up or wither. [Obs.]
If thou speak'st false, Upon the next tree shalt
thou hang alive, Till famine cling thee. --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cling \Cling\, n.
Adherence; attachment; devotion. [R.]
A more tenacious cling to worldly respects. --Milton.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
cling
n : fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the
pit [syn: {clingstone}]
v 1: come or be in close contact with; "The dress clings to her
body"; "The label stuck to the box" [syn: {cleave}, {adhere},
{stick}, {cohere}]
2: to remain emotionally or intellectually attached; "He clings
to the idea that she might still love him."
3: hold on tightly or tenaciously; "hang on to your father's
hands"; "The child clung to his mother's apron" [syn: {hang}]
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