n.
Pronunciation: ' slak
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English slak, from Old English sleac; akin to Old High German slah slack, Latin laxus slack, loose, langu ē re to languish, Greek lagnos lustful and perhaps to Greek l ē gein to stop
Date: before 12th century
1 : not using due diligence, care, or dispatch : NEGLIGENT
2 a : characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack of energy <a slack pace> b : moderate in some quality especially : moderately warm <a slack oven> c : blowing or flowing at low speed <the tide was slack >
3 a : not tight or taut <a slack rope> b : lacking in usual or normal firmness and steadiness : WEAK < slack muscles> < slack supervision>
4 : wanting in activity : DULL <a slack market>
5 : lacking in completeness, finish, or perfection <a very slack piece of work>
synonyms see NEGLIGENT
– slack · ly adverb
– slack · ness noun