[slack] adj [ME slak, fr. OE sleac; akin to OHG slah slack, L laxus slack, loose, languere to languish, Gk lagnos lustful and perh. to Gk legein to stop] (bef. 12c) 1: not using due diligence, care, or dispatch: negligent
2. a: characterized by slowness, sluggishness, or lack of energy "a ~ pace" b: moderate in some quality; esp: moderately warm "a ~ oven" c: blowing or flowing at low speed "the tide was ~" 3 a: not tight or taut "a ~ rope" b: lacking in usual or normal firmness and steadiness: weak "~ muscles" "~ supervision"
4: wanting in activity: dull "a ~ market"
5: lacking in completeness, finish, or perfection "a very ~ piece of work" syn see negligent -- slack.ly adv -- slack.ness n
[2]slack vi (13c) 1: to be or become slack
2: to shirk or evade work or duty ~ vt 1 a: to be slack or negligent in performing or doing b: lessen, moderate
2: to release tension on: loosen 3 a: to cause to abate b: slake 3 [3]slack n (1756) 1: cessation in movement or flow
2: a part of something that hangs loose without strain "take up the ~ of a rope"
3: trousers esp. for casual wear--usu. used in pl.
4: a dull season or period
5. a: a part that is available but not used "some ~ in the budget" b: a part that is wanted but not supplied: shortfall "take up the ~ in supplying oil" [4]slack n [ME slak, fr. ON slakki] (14c) dial Eng: a pass between hills [5]slack n [ME sleck] (15c): the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleaned