■ verb
1》 cut with a violent sweeping movement.
2》 informal reduce (a price, quantity, etc.) greatly.
↘[as adjective ~ing ] vigorously incisive or effective.
3》 archaic lash, whip, or thrash severely.
↘criticize severely.
■ noun
1》 a cut made with a wide, sweeping stroke.
2》 a bright patch or flash of colour or light.
3》 an oblique stroke (/) used between alternatives, in fractions and ratios, or between separate elements of a text.
4》 Brit. informal an act of urinating.
5》 N. Amer. debris resulting from the felling or destruction of trees.
Origin
ME: perh. imitative, or from OFr. esclachier 'break in pieces'.