slack

I

[[t]slæk[/t]]

adj. slack•er, slack•est, adv. n. v. adj.

1) not tight, taut, firm, or tense; loose:

a slack rope[/ex]

2) negligent; careless; remiss

3) slow, sluggish, or indolent:

slack in answering letters[/ex]

4) not active or busy; dull; not brisk:

the slack season in an industry[/ex]

5) moving very slowly, as the tide, wind, or water

6) weak; lax

7) in a slack manner

8) a slack condition or part

9) the part of a rope, sail, or the like, that hangs loose, without strain upon it

10) a decrease in activity, as in business or work

11) a period of decreased activity

12) oce a cessation in a strong flow, as of a current

13) to be remiss in respect to (some matter, duty, right, etc.); shirk; leave undone

14) to make or allow to become less active, vigorous, intense, etc.; relax (efforts, labor, speed, etc.) (often fol. by up)

15) to make loose, or less tense or taut, as a rope; loosen (often fol. by off or out)

16) to be remiss; shirk one's duty or part

17) to become less active, vigorous, rapid, etc. (often fol. by up or off)

18) to become less tense or taut, as a rope; ease off

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME slac (adj.), OE sleac, slæc, c. OS slak, OHG slach, ON slakr; akin to L laxus lax slack′ly, adv. slack′ness, n. II

slack

[[t]slæk[/t]] n.

min the fine screenings of coal

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Etymology: 1400–50; late ME sleck