~ 1
■ adjective
1》 not taut or held tightly in position; loose.
2》 (of business or trade) not busy; quiet.
3》 careless, lazy, or negligent.
4》 W. Indian lewd or promiscuous.
5》 (of a tide) neither ebbing nor flowing.
■ noun
1》 the part of a rope or line which is not held taut.
2》 ( ~s ) casual trousers.
3》 informal a period of inactivity or laziness.
■ verb
1》 loosen (something, especially a rope).
2》 ( ~ off/up ) decrease in intensity or speed.
3》 Brit. informal work slowly or lazily.
4》 slake (lime).
Phrases
cut someone some ~ N. Amer. informal allow someone some leeway in their conduct.
take (or pick ) up the ~ improve the use of resources to avoid an undesirable lull in business.
Derivatives
~en verb
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
OE slæc 'inclined to be lazy, unhurried', of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun coal dust or small pieces of coal.
Origin
ME: prob. from Low Ger. or Du.