I. noun
( -s )
Etymology: from gerund of slash (I)
1. : the act or process of slashing : the work of a slasher: as
a. : the illegal use of a slashing weapon (as a blade or knife)
a three month sentence for slashing — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union
b. : the sizing of yarn by a slasher
yarn sizing or slashing has become a fine art — H.R.Mauersberger
2.
a. : an insert or underlayer of contrasting color revealed by a slash (as in a garment)
the pink with the chocolate slashing in the skirt — R.P.Warren
b. : the slash that reveals such an insert or underlayer
a different material being sewn under the slashings — Sophia Caulfield & Blanche Saward
3.
a. : an open tract of forest land covered with slash
less forest and more open, hot, shadeless, weed-grown slashing — Ernest Hemingway
b. : the slash in such a tract
dug out stumps, cut slashing — American Guide Series: Oregon
— usually used in plural
using a power saw to salvage worthless pine slashings — Frank Cameron
flinging aside the slashings — J.S.Qualey
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of slash (I)
1. : incisively satiric : unsparingly critical or censorious
his terrible slashing wit, his fine scorn of stupidity — John Reed
a slashing attack on religious hypocrisy and scientific nonsense — R.A.Cordell
2. : dashing , spirited , vigorous
a slashing fellow
3. : huge , immense , splendid
a slashing fortune at her disposal — Charles Dickens
4. : that strikes with a blow or a succession of blows like those used in slashing : pelting , driving , biting
slashing southeaster
5. : vivid , brilliant , flashing
slashing juxtapositions of blacks and whites — R.M.Coates
bold slashing green canvas — Sydney (Australia) Bulletin
• slash·ing·ly adverb