"An instrument for throwing stones or bullets, consisting of a strap and two strings attached to it. The stone or bullet is lodged to the strap, and, the ends of the strings being held in the hand, the sling is whirled rapidly round in a circle, and the missile thrown by letting go one of the strings. The velocity with which the projectile is discharged is the same as that with which it is whirled round in a circle having the string for its radius. The sling was a very general instrument of war among ancients." —Whitney, 1889

Sling

"An instrument for throwing stones or bullets, consisting of a strap and two strings attached to it.…