different between spelunking vs spanking

English

Etymology

spelunk +? -ing. Back-formation from spelunker. Attested since 1946.

Noun

spelunking (usually uncountable, plural spelunkings)

1. The practice or hobby of exploring underground caverns.

   Synonym: caving

   • 2001, Nancy Hathaway, The Friendly Guide to Mythology (page 277)

     In the great myths, the adventures are external, even when they involve such metaphorical spelunkings as the voyage into the underworld.

Translations

Verb

spelunking

1. present participle of spelunk

Further reading

• caving on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

References

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?spæ?k??/

Etymology

From spank +? -ing.

Verb

spanking

1. present participle of spank

Adjective

spanking (not comparable)

1. Fast and energetic.

   a spanking pace

   • I'd like nothing better this minute, said Mr Browne stoutly, than a rattling fine walk in the country or a fast drive with a good spanking goer between the shafts.
2. (often nautical) Brisk and fresh.

   a spanking breeze

Synonyms

• striking

Adverb

spanking (not comparable)

1. (colloquial, now usually with “new”) An intensifier.

   brand spanking new

   a spanking good time

   spanking clean

   spanking white

Noun

spanking (plural spankings)

1. A form of physical punishment in which a beating is applied to the buttocks.

   Domestic spanking is often endured over the knee (or lap), formal spanking rather applied over a contraption such as a tresle or A-frame, with or without constraints

2. An incident of such punishment, or such physical act in a non-punitive context, such as a birthday spanking.
   • 2001, John Rosemond, John Rosemond's New Parent Power!

     Some people think spankings of any sort constitute child abuse.

Translations

Related terms

• spankingly

References

• spanking in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• spanking at OneLook Dictionary Search
• “spanking” in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
• “spanking”, in Merriam–Webster Online Dictionary, (Please provide a date or year).
• “spanking”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–present.