/ ˈslɪðə(r); NAmE / verb [ v + adv. / prep. ]
1.
to move somewhere in a smooth, controlled way, often close to the ground
SYN glide :
The snake slithered away as we approached.
2.
to move somewhere without much control, for example because the ground is steep or wet
SYN slide :
We slithered down the slope to the road.
They were slithering around on the ice.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : alteration of the dialect verb slidder , frequentative from the base of slide .