- Slack
- Slack Slack, a. [Compar. {Slacker}; superl. {Slackest}.] [OE.
slak, AS. sleac; akin to OS. slak, OHG. slah, Prov. G.
schlack, Icel. slakr, Sw. slak; cf. Skr. s[.r]j to let loose,
to throw. Cf. {Slake}.]
Lax; not tense; not hard drawn; not firmly extended; as, a
slack rope.
[1913 Webster]
2. Weak; not holding fast; as, a slack hand. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. Remiss; backward; not using due diligence or care; not earnest or eager; as, slack in duty or service. [1913 Webster]
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness. --2 Pet. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]
4. Not violent, rapid, or pressing; slow; moderate; easy; as, business is slack. ``With slack pace.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
C?sar . . . about sunset, hoisting sail with a slack southwest, at midnight was becalmed. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
{Slack in stays} (Naut.), slow in going about, as a ship.
{Slack water}, the time when the tide runs slowly, or the water is at rest; or the interval between the flux and reflux of the tide.
{Slack-water navigation}, navigation in a stream the depth of which has been increased, and the current diminished, by a dam or dams. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Loose; relaxed; weak; remiss; backward; abated; diminished; inactive; slow; tardy; dull. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.