v.
Pronunciation: ' sla-k ə n
Function: verb
Inflected Form: slack · ened ; slack · en · ing \ ' sla-k ə n-i ŋ \
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to make less active : slow up < slacken speed at a crossing>
2 : to make slack (as by lessening tension or firmness) < slacken sail>
intransitive verb
1 : to become slack or slow or negligent : slow down
2 : to become less active : SLACK
synonyms see DELAY