slackslæk(adj.; adv.; n.; v.)slack•er, slack•est

1. (adj.)not tight, taut, firm, or tense; loose:

   a slack rope.

2. negligent; careless; remiss.

3. slow, sluggish, or indolent:

   slack in answering letters.

4. not active or busy; dull; not brisk:

   the slack season in an industry.

5. moving very slowly, as the tide, wind, or water.

6. weak; lax.

7. (adv.)in a slack manner.

8. (n.)a slack condition or part.

9. the part of a rope, sail, or the like, that hangs loose, without strain upon it.

10. a decrease in activity, as in business or work.

11. a period of decreased activity.

12. a cessation in a strong flow, as of a current.

    Category: Oceanography

13. (v.t.)to be remiss in respect to (some matter, duty, right, etc.); shirk; leave undone.

14. to make or allow to become less active, vigorous, intense, etc.; relax (efforts, labor, speed, etc.) (often fol. by up).

15. to make loose, or less tense or taut, as a rope; loosen (often fol. by off or out).

16. (v.i.)to be remiss; shirk one's duty or part.

17. to become less active, vigorous, rapid, etc. (often fol. by up or off).

18. to become less tense or taut, as a rope; ease off.

Origin of slack:

bef. 900; ME slac (adj.), OE sleac, slæc, c. OS slak, OHG slach, ON slakr; akin to L laxuslax

slack′ness(n.)

slackslæk(n.)

1. the fine screenings of coal.

   Category: Mining

Origin of slack:

1400–50; late ME sleck