Definition of lash

The word "lash" is derived from the Old Englishword hæssha, which literally meant "whip" or "switch." The Old English word is thought to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word *haisan-, meaning "to thrash" or "whip." Over time, the meaning of the word evolved to refer specifically to a flexible tendril or rod, often made of leather or fibrous material, used to strike or whip a person or animal. The traditional use of lashes as a form of punishment or discipline has persisted throughout history, as seen in the infamous British flogging tradition or the use of the cat of nine tails by pirates. Today, the word "lash" is most commonly associated with false eyelashes, which are strips of synthetic material that are applied to the upper lash line to create a fuller, more dramatic appearance. However, the original meaning of the word as a whip or switch persists in its use to refer to the flexible, whip-like tails of some animals, such as the lash of a scorpion's stinger or the lash of a horse's whip.