I. ˈslak adjective
Etymology: Middle English slak, from Old English sleac; akin to Old High German slah slack, Latin laxus slack, loose, languēre to languish, Greek lagnos lustful and perhaps to Greek lēgein 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
II. verb
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1. : to be or become slack
2. : to shirk or evade work or duty
transitive verb
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
III. noun
Date: 1756
1. : cessation in movement or flow
2. : a part of something that hangs loose without strain
take up the slack of a rope
3. : trousers especially for casual wear — usually used in plural
4. : a dull season or period
5.
a. : a part that is available but not used
some slack in the budget
b. : a portion (as of labor or resources) that is required but lacking
hired a temp to take up the slack
6. : additional leeway or relief from pressure — usually used with cut
refused to cut me some slack on the schedule
IV. noun
Etymology: Middle English slak, from Old Norse slakki
Date: 14th century
dialect England : a pass between hills
V. noun
Etymology: earlier sleck, probably from Middle Dutch slacke, slecke slag
Date: 1729
: the finest screenings of coal produced at a mine unusable as fuel unless cleaned