cling

 
Pronunciation: /klɪŋ/

verb (past and past participle clung /klʌŋ/)

[no object] (cling to/on to/on)
  • hold on tightly to: she clung to Joe’s arm we sat on the sofa clinging on to one another figurative she clung on to life for 16 days
  • adhere or stick firmly or closely to; be hard to part or remove from: the smell of smoke clung to their clothes the fabric clung to her smooth skin
  • remain very close to: the fish cling to the line of the weed
  • remain persistently or stubbornly faithful to: she clung resolutely to her convictions
  • be overly dependent on (someone) emotionally: you are clinging to him for security

noun

  • (also cling peach) a clingstone peach.

Derivatives

clinger

noun

Origin:

Old English clingan 'stick together', of Germanic origin; related to Middle Dutch klingen 'adhere', Middle High German klingen 'climb', also to clench