cling
UK[klɪŋ]US[klɪŋ]
v
To hold on tightly to someone or something.
v
To stick to something or someone as if glued.
v
To remain emotionally attached to an idea, person, or habit.
Etymology
The word 'cling' originates from the Old English verb 'clingan', meaning to adhere, stick together, or shrivel. Its deeper roots are traced back to the Proto-Germanic 'klingg-', which carried a sense of sticking or adhering. The semantic core has always involved a tight, often desperate, physical attachment, a concept that has remained remarkably stable. Over time, this physical sense naturally extended to describe persistent emotional attachment or adherence to ideas, preserving the original logic of tenacious connection.
Analysis
This is a simplex word of Old English origin. The root 'cling-' functions as a complete verb stem.
Examples
The child would cling to her mother's leg in crowded places.
Wet clothes cling uncomfortably to the skin.
He still clings to the hope that his old team will win the championship.