lash

lash n

see lash, v.

  1. Phrase. “Whip lash”: Smiting cord; slender braided rope; flexible end of a whip; braided leather strand used for beating; [fig.] quick movement; sudden flash; potential danger; [metonymy] snake; serpent.

lash v

Of difficult etymology, perhaps of onomatopoeic origin, poss. related to OFr lascher, to loose, let go.

  1. Scourge; thrash; flog; strike; beat repeatedly with a whip.