GLIDE

I. verb (~d; gliding) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English glīdan; akin to Old High German glītan to ~ Date: before 12th century intransitive verb to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly , to go or pass imperceptibly , 3. to descend gradually in controlled flight, to fly in a ~r, to produce a ~ (as in music or speech), transitive verb to cause to ~, II. noun Date: 1584 a calm stretch of shallow water flowing smoothly, the act or action of gliding, portamento , 4. a less prominent vowel sound produced by the passing of the vocal organs to or from the articulatory position of a speech sound, semivowel , a device for facilitating movement of something