slack1
¦ adjective
1. not taut or held tightly in position; loose.
2. (of business or trade) not busy; quiet.
3. careless, lazy, or negligent.
4. W. Indian lewd or promiscuous.
5. (of a tide) neither ebbing nor flowing.
¦ noun
1. the part of a rope or line which is not held taut.
2. (slacks) casual trousers.
3. informal a period of inactivity or laziness.
¦ verb
1. loosen (something, especially a rope).
2. (slack off/up) decrease in intensity or speed.
3. Brit. informal work slowly or lazily.
4. slake (lime).
Phrases
cut someone some slack N. Amer. informal allow someone some leeway in their conduct.
take (or pick) up the slack improve the use of resources to avoid an undesirable lull in business.
Derivatives
slacken verb
slackly adverb
slackness noun
Origin
OE sl?c 'inclined to be lazy, unhurried', of Gmc origin.
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slack2
¦ noun coal dust or small pieces of coal.
Origin
ME: prob. from Low Ger. or Du.