n. & v.
n. 1 an inclined position or direction; a state in which one end or side is at a higher level than another; a position in a line neither parallel nor perpendicular to level ground or to a line serving as a standard. 2 a piece of rising or falling ground. 3 a a difference in level between the two ends or sides of a thing (a slope of 5 metres). b the rate at which this increases with distance etc. 4 a place for skiing on the side of a hill or mountain. 5 (prec. by the) the position of a rifle when sloped.
v. 1 intr. have or take a slope; slant esp. up or down; lie or tend obliquely, esp. to ground level. 2 tr. place or arrange or make in or at a slope. slope arms place one's rifle in a sloping position against one's shoulder. slope off sl. go away, esp. to evade work etc.
[ shortening of ASLOPE ]