A beating or whipping as punishment; or strong criticism and verbal attack; or ropes/cords used to tie something tightly.
From 'lash,' derived from Middle English 'lashen,' possibly from Old English or imitative in origin (the sound of a whip). The noun 'lashing' emerged in the 14th century.
A 'lashing' can mean three completely different things—a whipping, cruel criticism, or ropes securing cargo—yet they're all connected: they all describe something that binds, strikes, or holds together intensely.
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