Chapter C: A. Ives (16)

3. A drudge; one who labors like a slave.

4. An abject person; a wretch. Shak.

Slave ant (Zoöl.), any species of ants which is captured and enslaved by another species, especially Formica fusca of Europe and America, which is commonly enslaved by Formica sanguinea. -- Slave catcher, one who attempted to catch and bring back a fugitive slave to his master. -- Slave coast, part of the western coast of Africa to which slaves were brought to be sold to foreigners. -- Slave driver, one who superintends slaves at their work; hence, figuratively, a cruel taskmaster. -- Slave hunt. (a) A search after persons in order to reduce them to slavery. Barth. (b) A search after fugitive slaves, often conducted with bloodhounds. -- Slave ship, a vessel employed in the slave trade or used for transporting slaves; a slaver. -- Slave trade, the business of dealing in slaves, especially of buying them for transportation from their homes to be sold elsewhere. -- Slave trader, one who traffics in slaves.

Syn. -- Bond servant; bondman; bondslave; captive; henchman; vassal; dependent; drudge. See Serf.

Slave, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Slaved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slaving.] To drudge; to toil; to labor as a slave.

Slave, v. t. To enslave. Marston.

Slave"born` (?), a. Born in slavery.

Slave"hold`er (?), n. One who holds slaves.

Slave"hold`ing, a. Holding persons in slavery.

Slave*oc"ra*cy (?), n. See Slavocracy.

Slav"er (?), n. 1. A vessel engaged in the slave trade; a slave ship.

2. A person engaged in the purchase and sale of slaves; a slave merchant, or slave trader.

The slaver's hand was on the latch, He seemed in haste to go.

Longfellow.

Slav"er (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Slavered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slavering.] [Cf. Icel. slafra. See Slabber.] 1. To suffer spittle, etc., to run from the mouth.

2. To be besmeared with saliva. Shak.

Slav"er, v. t. To smear with saliva issuing from the mouth; to defile with drivel; to slabber.

Slav"er, n. Saliva driveling from the mouth.

Of all mad creatures, if the learned are right, It is the slaver
kills, and not the bite.

Pope.

Slav"er*er (?), n. A driveler; an idiot.

<! p. 1353 !>

Slav"er*ing (?), a. Drooling; defiling with saliva. -- Slav"er*ing*ly, adv.

Slav"er*y (?), n.; pl. Slaveries (#). [See 2d Slave.] 1. The condition of a slave; the state of entire subjection of one person to the will of another.

Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, slavery, said I, still thou
art a bitter draught!

Sterne.

I wish, from my soul, that the legislature of this state [Virginia]
could see the policy of a gradual abolition of slavery. It might
prevent much future mischief.

Washington.

2. A condition of subjection or submission characterized by lack of freedom of action or of will.

The vulgar slaveries rich men submit to.

C. Lever.

There is a slavery that no legislation can abolish, -- the slavery
of caste.

G. W. Cable.

3. The holding of slaves.

Syn. -- Bondage; servitude; inthrallment; enslavement; captivity; bond service; vassalage.

Slav"ey (?), n. A maidservant. [Colloq. & Jocose Eng.]

Slav"ic (?), a. Slavonic. -- n. The group of allied languages spoken by the Slavs.

Slav"ish (?), a. Of or pertaining to slaves; such as becomes or befits a slave; servile; excessively laborious; as, a slavish life; a slavish dependance on the great. -- Slav"ish*ly, adv. -- Slav"ish*ness, n.

Slav"ism (?), n. The common feeling and interest of the Slavonic race.

Slav*oc"ra*cy (?), n. [Slave + -cracy, as in democracy.] The persons or interest formerly representing slavery politically, or wielding political power for the preservation or advancement of slavery. [U. S.]

{ Sla*vo"ni*an (?), Sla*von"ic (?), } a. 1. Of or pertaining to Slavonia, or its inhabitants.

2. Of or pertaining to the Slavs, or their language.

Sla*vo"ni*an, n. A native or inhabitant of Slavonia; ethnologically, a Slav.

{ Slav"o*phil (?), Slav"o*phile (?), } n. [Slavic + Gr. &?;&?;&?; loving.] One, not being a Slav, who is interested in the development and prosperity of that race.

Slaw (?), n. [D. sla, contr. fr. salade, OD. salaet, salad. See Salad.] Sliced cabbage served as a salad, cooked or uncooked.

{ Slaw, Slaw"en } (?), obs. p. p. of Slee, to slay.

With a sword drawn out he would have slaw himself.

Wyclif (Acts xvi. 27.)

Slay (?), v. t. [imp. Slew (?); p. p. Slain (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slaying.] [OE. slan, sl&?;n, sleen, slee, AS. sleán to strike, beat, slay; akin to OFries. sl, D. slaan, OS. & OHG. slahan, G. schlagen, Icel. sl, Dan. slaae, Sw. sl&?;, Goth. slahan; perhaps akin to L. lacerare to tear to pieces, Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?;, E. lacerate. Cf. Slaughter, Sledge a hammer, Sley.] To put to death with a weapon, or by violence; hence, to kill; to put an end to; to destroy.

With this sword then will I slay you both.

Chaucer.

I will slay the last of them with the sword.

Amos ix. 1.

I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk.

Shak.

Syn. -- To kill; murder; slaughter; butcher.

Slay"er (?), n. One who slays; a killer; a murderer; a destroyer of life.

Sla"zy (sl"z), a. See Sleazy.

Sle (sl), v. t. To slay. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Sleave (slv), n. [Cf. Dan. slöif, a knot loop, Sw. slejf, G. schleife a knot, sliding knot, and E. slip, v.i.] (a) The knotted or entangled part of silk or thread. (b) Silk not yet twisted; floss; -- called also sleave silk.

Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care.

Shak.

Sleave, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleaved (slvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Sleaving.] To separate, as threads; to divide, as a collection of threads; to sley; -- a weaver's term.

Sleaved (slvd), a. Raw; not spun or wrought; as, sleaved thread or silk. Holinshed.

Slea"zi*ness (?), n. Quality of being sleazy.

Slea"zy (sl"z), a. [Cf. G. schleissig worn out, threadbare, from schleissen to slit, split, decay, or E. leasy.] Wanting firmness of texture or substance; thin; flimsy; as, sleazy silk or muslin. [Spelt also slazy.]

Sled (sld), n. [Akin to D. slede, G. schlitten, OHG. slito, Icel. sleði, Sw. släde, Dan. slæde, and E. slide, v. See Slide, and cf. Sledge a vehicle, Sleigh.] 1. A vehicle on runners, used for conveying loads over the snow or ice; -- in England called sledge.

2. A small, light vehicle with runners, used, mostly by young persons, for sliding on snow or ice.

Sled, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sledded; p. pr. & vb. n. Sledding.] To convey or transport on a sled; as, to sled wood or timber.

Sled"ding (?), n. 1. The act of transporting or riding on a sled.

2. The state of the snow which admits of the running of sleds; as, the sledding is good.

Sledge (slj), n. [Perhaps from sleds, pl. of sled, confused with sledge a hammer. See Sled, n.] 1. A strong vehicle with low runners or low wheels; or one without wheels or runners, made of plank slightly turned up at one end, used for transporting loads upon the snow, ice, or bare ground; a sled.

2. A hurdle on which, formerly, traitors were drawn to the place of execution. [Eng.] Sir W. Scott.

3. A sleigh. [Eng.]

4. A game at cards; -- called also old sledge, and all fours.

Sledge (slj), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Sledged (sljd); p. pr. & vb. n. Sledging.] To travel or convey in a sledge or sledges. Howitt.

Sledge, n. [AS. slecge,from sleán to strike, beat. See Slay, v. t.] A large, heavy hammer, usually wielded with both hands; -- called also sledge hammer.

With his heavy sledge he can it beat.

Spenser.

Slee (sl), v. t. [See Slay.] To slay. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Sleek (slk), a. [Compar. Sleeker (-r); superl. Sleekest.] [OE. slik; akin to Icel. slkr, and OE. sliken to glide, slide, G. schleichen, OHG. slhhan, D. slik, slijk, mud, slime, and E. slink. Cf. Slick, Slink.] 1. Having an even, smooth surface; smooth; hence, glossy; as, sleek hair. Chaucer.

So sleek her skin, so faultless was her make.

Dryden.

2. Not rough or harsh.

Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek.

Milton.

Sleek, adv. With ease and dexterity. [Low]

Sleek, n. That which makes smooth; varnish. [R.]

Sleek, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleeked (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeking.] To make even and smooth; to render smooth, soft, and glossy; to smooth over.

Sleeking her soft alluring locks.

Milton.

Gentle, my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks.

Shak.

Sleek"ly, adv. In a sleek manner; smoothly.

Sleek"ness, n. The quality or state of being sleek; smoothness and glossiness of surface.

Sleek"y (?), a. 1. Of a sleek, or smooth, and glossy appearance. Thomson.

2. Fawning and deceitful; sly. [Scot.]

Sleep (?), obs. imp. of Sleep. Slept. Chaucer.

Sleep, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Slept (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeping.] [OE. slepen, AS. sl&?;pan; akin to OFries. sl&?;pa, OS. slpan, D. slapen, OHG. slfan, G. schlafen, Goth. sl&?;pan, and G. schlaff slack, loose, and L. labi to glide, slide, labare to totter. Cf. Lapse.] 1. To take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind, and an apathy of the organs of sense; to slumber. Chaucer.

Watching at the head of these that sleep.

Milton.

2. Figuratively: (a) To be careless, inattentive, or uncouncerned; not to be vigilant; to live thoughtlessly.

We sleep over our happiness.

Atterbury.

(b) To be dead; to lie in the grave.

Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1 Thess. iv. 14.

(c) To be, or appear to be, in repose; to be quiet; to be unemployed, unused, or unagitated; to rest; to lie dormant; as, a question sleeps for the present; the law sleeps.

How sweet the moonlight sleep upon this bank!

Shak.

Sleep, v. t. 1. To be slumbering in; -- followed by a cognate object; as, to sleep a dreamless sleep. Tennyson.

2. To give sleep to; to furnish with accomodations for sleeping; to lodge. [R.] Blackw. Mag.

To sleep away, to spend in sleep; as, to sleep away precious time. -- To sleep off, to become free from by sleep; as, to sleep off drunkeness or fatigue.

Sleep, n. [AS. slp; akin to OFries. slp, OS. slp, D. slaap, OHG. slf, G. schlaf, Goth. slps. See Sleep, v. i.] A natural and healthy, but temporary and periodical, suspension of the functions of the organs of sense, as well as of those of the voluntary and rational soul; that state of the animal in which there is a lessened acuteness of sensory perception, a confusion of ideas, and a loss of mental control, followed by a more or less unconscious state. "A man that waketh of his sleep." Chaucer.

O sleep, thou ape of death.

Shak.

Sleep is attended by a relaxation of the muscles, and the absence of voluntary activity for any rational objects or purpose. The pulse is slower, the respiratory movements fewer in number but more profound, and there is less blood in the cerebral vessels. It is susceptible of greater or less intensity or completeness in its control of the powers.

Sleep of plants (Bot.), a state of plants, usually at night, when their leaflets approach each other, and the flowers close and droop, or are covered by the folded leaves.

Syn. -- Slumber; repose; rest; nap; doze; drowse.

Sleep"-at-noon" (?), n. (Bot.) A plant (Tragopogon pratensis) which closes its flowers at midday; a kind of goat's beard. Dr. Prior.

Sleep"-charged` (?), a. Heavy with sleep.

Sleep"er (?), n. 1. One who sleeps; a slumberer; hence, a drone, or lazy person.

2. That which lies dormant, as a law. [Obs.] Bacon.

3. A sleeping car. [Colloq. U.S.]

4. (Zoöl.) An animal that hibernates, as the bear.

5. (Zoöl.) (a) A large fresh-water gobioid fish (Eleotris dormatrix). (b) A nurse shark. See under Nurse.

Sleep"er, n. [Cf. Norw. sleip a sleeper (a timber), as adj., slippery, smooth. See Slape.] Something lying in a reclining posture or position. Specifically: --

(a) One of the pieces of timber, stone, or iron, on or near the level of the ground, for the support of some superstructure, to steady framework, to keep in place the rails of a railway, etc.; a stringpiece.

(b) One of the joists, or roughly shaped timbers, laid directly upon the ground, to receive the flooring of the ground story. [U.S.]

(c) (Naut.) One of the knees which connect the transoms to the after timbers on the ship's quarter.

(d) (Naut.) The lowest, or bottom, tier of casks.

Sleep"ful (?), a. Strongly inclined to sleep; very sleepy. -- Sleep"ful*ness, n.

Sleep"i*ly (?), adv. In a sleepy manner; drowsily.

Sleep"i*ness, n. The quality or state of being sleepy.

Sleep"ing, a. & n. from Sleep.

Sleeping car, a railway car or carrriage, arranged with apartments and berths for sleeping. -- Sleeping partner (Com.), a dormant partner. See under Dormant. -- Sleeping table (Mining), a stationary inclined platform on which pulverized ore is washed; a kind of buddle.

Sleep"ish (?), a. Disposed to sleep; sleepy; drowsy.

Your sleepish, and more than sleepish, security.

Ford.

Sleep"less, a. 1. Having no sleep; wakeful.

2. Having no rest; perpetually agitated. "Biscay's sleepless bay." Byron.

-- Sleep"less*ly, adv. -- Sleep"less*ness, n.

Sleep"mark`en (?), n. (Zoöl.) See 1st Hag, 4.

Sleep"wak`er (?), n. On in a state of magnetic or mesmeric sleep.

Sleep"wak`ing, n. The state of one mesmerized, or in a partial and morbid sleep.

Sleep"walk`er (?), n. One who walks in his sleep; a somnambulist.

Sleep"walk`ing, n. Walking in one's sleep.

Sleep"y (?), a. [Compar. Sleepier (?); superl. Sleepiest.] [AS. sl&?;pig. See Sleep, n.] 1. Drowsy; inclined to, or overcome by, sleep. Shak.

She waked her sleepy crew.

Dryden.

2. Tending to induce sleep; soporiferous; somniferous; as, a sleepy drink or potion. Chaucer.

3. Dull; lazy; heavy; sluggish. Shak.

'Tis not sleepy business; But must be looked to speedily and
strongly.

Shak.

4. Characterized by an absence of watchfulness; as, sleepy security.

Sleepy duck (Zoöl.), the ruddy duck.

Sleep"y*head` (?), n. 1. A sleepy person.

To bed, to bed, says Sleepyhead.

Mother Goose.

2. (Zoöl.) The ruddy duck.

Sle"er (?), n. A slayer. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Sleet (?), n. (Gun.) The part of a mortar extending from the chamber to the trunnions.

Sleet, n. [OE. sleet; akin to MHG. sl&?;z, sl&?;ze hailstone, G. schlosse; of uncertain origin.] Hail or snow, mingled with rain, usually falling, or driven by the wind, in fine particles.

Sleet, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sleeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeting.] To snow or hail with a mixture of rain.

Sleetch (?), n. [Cf. Slush, Slutch.] Mud or slime, such as that at the bottom of rivers. [Scot.]

Sleet"i*ness (?), n. The state of being sleety.

Sleet"y (?), a. Of or pertaining to sleet; characterized by sleet; as, a sleety storm; sleety weather.

Sleeve (?), n. See Sleave, untwisted thread.

Sleeve, n. [OE. sleeve, sleve, AS. sl&?;fe, sl&?;fe; akin to sl&?;fan to put on, to clothe; cf. OD. sloove the turning up of anything, sloven to turn up one's sleeves, sleve a sleeve, G. schlaube a husk, pod.] 1. The part of a garment which covers the arm; as, the sleeve of a coat or a gown. Chaucer.

2. A narrow channel of water. [R.]

The Celtic Sea, called oftentimes the Sleeve.

Drayton.

3. (Mach.) (a) A tubular part made to cover, sustain, or steady another part, or to form a connection between two parts. (b) A long bushing or thimble, as in the nave of a wheel. (c) A short piece of pipe used for covering a joint, or forming a joint between the ends of two other pipes.

Sleeve button, a detachable button to fasten the wristband or cuff. -- Sleeve links, two bars or buttons linked together, and used to fasten a cuff or wristband. -- To laugh in the sleeve, to laugh privately or unperceived, especially while apparently preserving a grave or serious demeanor toward the person or persons laughed at; that is, perhaps, originally, by hiding the face in the wide sleeves of former times. -- To pin, or hang, on the sleeve of, to be, or make, dependent upon.

Sleeve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleeved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeving.] To furnish with sleeves; to put sleeves into; as, to sleeve a coat.

Sleeved (?), a. Having sleeves; furnished with sleeves; -- often in composition; as, long- sleeved.

Sleeve"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) A squid.

Sleeve"hand` (?), n. The part of a sleeve nearest the hand; a cuff or wristband. [Obs.] Shak.

Sleeve"less, a. [AS. sl&?;fleás.] 1. Having no sleeves.

2. Wanting a cover, pretext, or palliation; unreasonable; profitless; bootless; useless. [Obs.] Shak.

The vexation of a sleeveless errand.

Bp. Warburton.

Sleid (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleided; p. pr. & vb. n. Sleiding.] [See Sley.] To sley, or prepare for use in the weaver's sley, or slaie. Shak.

Sleigh (?), a. Sly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Sleigh (?), n. [Cf. D. & LG. slede, slee, Icel. sle&?;i. See Sled.] A vehicle moved on runners, and used for transporting persons or goods on snow or ice; -- in England commonly called a sledge.

Sleigh bell, a small bell attached either to a horse when drawing a slegh, or to the sleigh itself; especially a globular bell with a loose ball which plays inside instead of a clapper.

Sleigh"ing, n. 1. The act of riding in a sleigh.

2. The state of the snow or ice which admits of running sleighs.

Sleight (?), n. [OE. sleighte, sleihte, sleithe, Icel. sl&?;g&?; (for sl&?;g&?;) slyness, cunning, fr. sl&?;gr (for sl&?;gr) sly, cunning. See Sly.] 1. Cunning; craft; artful practice. [Obs.] "His sleight and his covin." Chaucer.

2. An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterous that the manner of performance escapes observation.

The world hath many subtle sleights.

Latimer.

3. Dexterous practice; dexterity; skill. Chaucer. "The juggler's sleight." Hudibras.

Sleight of hand, legerdemain; prestidigitation.

<! p. 1354 !>

Sleight"ful (?), a. Cunning; dexterous. [Obs.]

Sleight"ly (?), adv. Cinningly. [Obs.] Huloet.

Sleight"y (?), a. Cinning; sly. [Obs.] Huloet.

Slen"der (?), a. [Compar. Slenderer (?); superl. Slenderest.] [OE. slendre, sclendre, fr. OD. slinder thin, slender, perhaps through a French form; cf. OD. slinderen, slidderen, to creep; perh. akin to E. slide.] 1. Small or narrow in proportion to the length or the height; not thick; slim; as, a slender stem or stalk of a plant. "A slender, choleric man." Chaucer.

She, as a veil down to the slender waist, Her unadorned golden
tresses wore.

Milton.

2. Weak; feeble; not strong; slight; as, slender hope; a slender constitution.

Mighty hearts are held in slender chains.

Pope.

They have inferred much from slender premises.

J. H. Newman.

The slender utterance of the consonants.

J. Byrne.

3. Moderate; trivial; inconsiderable; slight; as, a man of slender intelligence.

A slender degree of patience will enable him to enjoy both the
humor and the pathos.

Sir W. Scott.

4. Small; inadequate; meager; pitiful; as, slender means of support; a slender pittance.

Frequent begging makes slender alms.

Fuller.

5. Spare; abstemious; frugal; as, a slender diet.

The good Ostorius often deigned To grace my slender table with his
presence.

Philips.

6. (Phon.) Uttered with a thin tone; -- the opposite of broad; as, the slender vowels long e and i.

-- Slen"der*ly, adv. -- Slen"der*ness, n.

Slent (?), n. & v. See Slant. [Obs.]

Slep (?), obs. imp. of Sleep. Slept. Chaucer.

Sle*pez" (?), n. [Russ. sliepets'.] (Zoöl.) A burrowing rodent (Spalax typhlus), native of Russia and Asia Minor. It has the general appearance of a mole, and is destitute of eyes. Called also mole rat.

Slept (?), imp. & p. p. of Sleep.

Sleuth (?), n. [Icel. slð. See Slot a track.] The track of man or beast as followed by the scent. [Scot.] Halliwell.

Sleuth"hound` (?), n. [See Sleuth, and cf. Slothound.] (Zoöl.) A hound that tracks animals by the scent; specifically, a bloodhound. [Spelt variously slouthhound, sluthhound, etc.]

Slew (?), imp. of Slay.

Slew, v. t. See Slue.

Slewed (?), a. Somewhat drunk. [Slang]

Slewth (?), n. Sloth; idleness. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Sley (?), n. [AS. sl&?;, fr. sleán to strike. See Slay, v. t.] 1. A weaver's reed. [Spelt also slaie.]

2. A guideway in a knitting machine. Knight.

Sley, v. t. To separate or part the threads of, and arrange them in a reed; -- a term used by weavers. See Sleave, and Sleid.

Slib"ber (?), a. Slippery. [Obs.] Holland.

Slice (?), n. [OE. slice, sclice, OF. esclice, from esclicier, esclichier, to break to pieces, of German origin; cf. OHG. slzan to split, slit, tear, G. schleissen to slit. See Slit, v. t.] 1. A thin, broad piece cut off; as, a slice of bacon; a slice of cheese; a slice of bread.

2. That which is thin and broad, like a slice. Specifically: (a) A broad, thin piece of plaster. (b) A salver, platter, or tray. [Obs.] (c) A knife with a thin, broad blade for taking up or serving fish; also, a spatula for spreading anything, as paint or ink. (d) A plate of iron with a handle, forming a kind of chisel, or a spadelike implement, variously proportioned, and used for various purposes, as for stripping the planking from a vessel's side, for cutting blubber from a whale, or for stirring a fire of coals; a slice bar; a peel; a fire shovel. [Cant] (e) (Shipbuilding) One of the wedges by which the cradle and the ship are lifted clear of the building blocks to prepare for launching. (f) (Printing) A removable sliding bottom to galley.

Slice bar, a kind of fire iron resembling a poker, with a broad, flat end, for stirring a fire of coals, and clearing it and the grate bars from clinkers, ashes, etc.; a slice.

Slice, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sliced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slicing (?).] 1. To cut into thin pieces, or to cut off a thin, broad piece from.

2. To cut into parts; to divide.

3. To clear by means of a slice bar, as a fire or the grate bars of a furnace.

Sli"cer (?), n. One who, or that which, slices; specifically, the circular saw of the lapidary.

{ Slich (?), Slick (?) }, n. (Metal.) See Schlich.

Slick (?), a. [See Sleek.] Sleek; smooth. "Both slick and dainty." Chapman.

Slick, v. t. To make sleek or smoth. "Slicked all with sweet oil." Chapman.

Slick, n. (Joinery) A wide paring chisel.

Slick"en (?), a. Sleek; smooth. [Prov. Eng.]

Slick"ens (?), n. [Cf. Slick, n.] (Mining) The pulverized matter from a quartz mill, or the lighter soil of hydraulic mines. [Local, U. S.]

Slick"en*sides` (?), n. 1. The smooth, striated, or partially polished surfaces of a fissure or seam, supposed to have been produced by the sliding of one surface on another.

2. A variety of galena found in Derbyshire, England.

Slick"er (?), n. That which makes smooth or sleek. Specifically: (a) A kind of burnisher for leather. (b) (Founding) A curved tool for smoothing the surfaces of a mold after the withdrawal of the pattern.

Slick"er, n. A waterproof coat. [Western U.S.]

Slick"ing, n. 1. The act or process of smoothing.

2. pl. (Min.) Narrow veins of ore.

Slick"ness, n. The state or quality of being slick; smoothness; sleekness.

Slid (?), imp. & p. p. of Slide.

Slid"den (?), p. p. of Slide.

Slid"der (?), v. t. [AS. sliderian. See Slide, v. t.] To slide with interruption. [Obs.] Dryden.

{ Slid"der, Slid"der*ly, Slid"der*y (?) }, a. [AS. slidor. See Slide, v. t.] Slippery. [Obs.]

To a drunk man the way is slidder.

Chaucer.

Slide (?), v. t. [imp. Slid (?); p. p. Slidden (?), Slid; p. pr. & vb. n. Slidding (?).] [OE. sliden, AS. sldan; akin to MHG. slten, also to AS. slidor slippery, E. sled, Lith. slidus slippery. Cf. Sled.] 1. To move along the surface of any body by slipping, or without walking or rolling; to slip; to glide; as, snow slides down the mountain's side.

2. Especially, to move over snow or ice with a smooth, uninterrupted motion, as on a sled moving by the force of gravity, or on the feet.

They bathe in summer, and in winter slide.

Waller.

3. To pass inadvertently.

Beware thou slide not by it.

Ecclus. xxviii. 26.

4. To pass along smoothly or unobservedly; to move gently onward without friction or hindrance; as, a ship or boat slides through the water.

Ages shall slide away without perceiving.

Dryden.

Parts answering parts shall slide into a whole.

Pope.

5. To slip when walking or standing; to fall.

Their foot shall slide in due time.

Deut. xxxii. 35.

6. (Mus.) To pass from one note to another with no perceptible cassation of sound.

7. To pass out of one's thought as not being of any consequence. [Obs. or Colloq.]

With good hope let he sorrow slide.

Chaucer.

With a calm carelessness letting everything slide.

Sir P. Sidney.

Slide, v. t. 1. To cause to slide; to thrust along; as, to slide one piece of timber along another.

2. To pass or put imperceptibly; to slip; as, to slide in a word to vary the sense of a question.

Slide, n. [AS. slde.] 1. The act of sliding; as, a slide on the ice.

2. Smooth, even passage or progress.

A better slide into their business.

Bacon.

3. That on which anything moves by sliding. Specifically: (a) An inclined plane on which heavy bodies slide by the force of gravity, esp. one constructed on a mountain side for conveying logs by sliding them down. (b) A surface of ice or snow on which children slide for amusement.

4. That which operates by sliding. Specifically: (a) A cover which opens or closes an aperture by sliding over it. (b) (Mach.) A moving piece which is guided by a part or parts along which it slides. (c) A clasp or brooch for a belt, or the like.

5. A plate or slip of glass on which is a picture or delineation to be exhibited by means of a magic lantern, stereopticon, or the like; a plate on which is an object to be examined with a microscope.

6. The descent of a mass of earth, rock, or snow down a hill or mountain side; as, a land slide, or a snow slide; also, the track of bare rock left by a land slide.

7. (Geol.) A small dislocation in beds of rock along a line of fissure. Dana.

8. (Mus.) (a) A grace consisting of two or more small notes moving by conjoint degrees, and leading to a principal note either above or below. (b) An apparatus in the trumpet and trombone by which the sounding tube is lengthened and shortened so as to produce the tones between the fundamental and its harmonics.

9. (Phonetics) A sound which, by a gradual change in the position of the vocal organs, passes imperceptibly into another sound.

10. (Steam Engine) (a) Same as Guide bar, under Guide. (b) A slide valve.

Slide box (Steam Engine), a steam chest. See under Steam. -- Slide lathe, an engine lathe. See under Lathe. -- Slide rail, a transfer table. See under Transfer. -- Slide rest (Turning lathes), a contrivance for holding, moving, and guiding, the cutting tool, made to slide on ways or guides by screws or otherwise, and having compound motion. -- Slide rule, a mathematical instrument consisting of two parts, one of which slides upon the other, for the mechanical performance of addition and subtraction, and, by means of logarithmic scales, of multiplication and division. -- Slide valve. (a) Any valve which opens and closes a passageway by sliding over a port. (b) A particular kind of sliding valve, often used in steam engines for admitting steam to the piston and releasing it, alternately, having a cuplike cavity in its face, through which the exhaust steam passes. It is situated in the steam chest, and moved by the valve gear. It is sometimes called a D valve, -- a name which is also applied to a semicylindrical pipe used as a sliding valve.

In the illustration, a is the cylinder of a steam engine, in which plays the piston p; b the steam chest, receiving its supply from the pipe i, and containing the slide valve s, which is shown as admitting steam to one end of the cylinder through the port e, and opening communication between the exhaust passage f and the port c, for the release of steam from the opposite end of the cylinder.

Slide"groat (?), n. The game of shovelboard. [Obs.]

Slid"er (?), a. See Slidder. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Slid"er, n. 1. One who, or that which, slides; especially, a sliding part of an instrument or machine.

2. (Zoöl.) The red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa). [Local, U. S. ]

Slider pump, a form of rotary pump.

Slid"ing (?), a. 1. That slides or slips; gliding; moving smoothly.

2. Slippery; elusory. [Obs.]

That sliding science hath me made so bare.

Chaucer.

Sliding friction (Mech.), the resistance one body meets with in sliding along the surface of another, as distinguished from rolling friction. -- Sliding gunter (Naut.), a topmast arranged with metallic fittings so as to be hoisted and lowered by means of halyards. -- Sliding keel (Naut), a movable keel, similar to a centeboard. -- Sliding pair. (Mech.) See the Note under Pair, n., 7. -- Sliding rule. Same as Slide rule, under Slide, n. -- Sliding scale. (a) A scale for raising or lowering imposts in proportion to the fall or rise of prices. (b) A variable scale of wages or of prices. (c) A slide rule. -- Sliding ways (Naut.), the timber guides used in launching a vessel.

Sli*dom"e*ter (?), n. [Slide + -meter.] An instrument for indicating and recording shocks to railway cars occasioned by sudden stopping.

Slight (?), n. Sleight. Spenser.

Slight, v. t. [Cf. D. slechten to level, to demolish.] 1. To overthrow; to demolish. [Obs.] Clarendon.

2. To make even or level. [Obs.] Hexham.

3. To throw heedlessly. [Obs.]

The rogue slighted me into the river.

Shak.

Slight (?), a. [Compar. Slighter (?); superl. Slightest.] [OE. sli&?;t, sleght, probably from OD. slicht, slecht, simple, plain, D. slecht; akin to OFries. sliucht, G. schlecht, schlicht, OHG. sleht smooth, simple, Icel. sl&?;ttr smooth, Sw. slät, Goth. slaíhts; or uncertain origin.] 1. Not decidedly marked; not forcible; inconsiderable; unimportant; insignificant; not severe; weak; gentle; -- applied in a great variety of circumstances; as, a slight (i. e., feeble) effort; a slight (i. e., perishable) structure; a slight (i. e., not deep) impression; a slight (i. e., not convincing) argument; a slight (i. e., not thorough) examination; slight (i. e., not severe) pain, and the like. "At one slight bound." Milton.

Slight is the subject, but not so the praise.

Pope.

Some firmly embrace doctrines upon slight grounds.

Locke.

2. Not stout or heavy; slender.

His own figure, which was formerly so slight.

Sir W. Scott.

3. Foolish; silly; weak in intellect. Hudibras.

Slight, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slighted; p. pr. & vb. n. Slighting.] To disregard, as of little value and unworthy of notice; to make light of; as, to slight the divine commands. Milton.

The wretch who slights the bounty of the skies.

Cowper.

To slight off, to treat slightingly; to drive off; to remove. [R.] -- To slight over, to run over in haste; to perform superficially; to treat carelessly; as, to slight over a theme. "They will but slight it over." Bacon.

Syn. -- To neglect; disregard; disdain; scorn. -- Slight, Neglect. To slight is stronger than to neglect. We may neglect a duty or person from inconsiderateness, or from being over-occupied in other concerns. To slight is always a positive and intentional act, resulting from feelings of dislike or contempt. We ought to put a kind construction on what appears neglect on the part of a friend; but when he slights us, it is obvious that he is our friend no longer.

Beware . . . lest the like befall . . . If they transgress and
slight that sole command.

Milton.

This my long-sufferance, and my day of grace, Those who neglect and
scorn shall never taste.

Milton.

Slight, n. The act of slighting; the manifestation of a moderate degree of contempt, as by neglect or oversight; neglect; indignity.

Syn. -- Neglect; disregard; inattention; contempt; disdain; scorn; disgrace; indignity; disparagement.

Slight, adv. Slightly. [Obs. or Poetic]

Think not so slight of glory.

Milton.

Slight"en (?), v. t. To slight. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Slight"er (?), n. One who slights.

Slight"ful (?), a. See Sleightful. [Obs.]

Slight"ing, a. Characterized by neglect or disregard.

Slight"ing*ly, adv. In a slighting manner.

Slight"ly, adv. 1. In a slight manner.

2. Slightingly; negligently. [Obs.] Shak.

Slight"ness, n. The quality or state of being slight; slenderness; feebleness; superficiality; also, formerly, negligence; indifference; disregard.

Slight"y (?), a. Slight. [Obs.] Echard.

Slik (slk), a. [See Such.] Such. [Obs. or Scot.]

Used by Chaucer as of the Northern dialect.

Slik"en*sides`, n. Same as Slickensides.

Sli"ly (?), adv. See Slyly. South.

Slim (slm), a. [Compar. Slimmer (?); superl. Slimmest.] [Formerly, bad, worthless, weak, slight, awry, fr. D. slim; akin to G. schlimm, MHG. slimp oblique, awry; of uncertain origin. The meaning of the English word seems to have been influenced by slender.] 1. Worthless; bad. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

2. Weak; slight; unsubstantial; poor; as, a slim argument. "That was a slim excuse." Barrow.

3. Of small diameter or thickness in proportion to the height or length; slender; as, a slim person; a slim tree. Grose.

Slime (?), n. [OE. slim, AS. slm; akin to D. slijm, G. schleim, MHG. slmen to make smooth, Icel. slm slime, Dan. sliim; cf. L. limare to file, polish, levis smooth, Gr. &?;&?;&?;; or cf. L. limus mud.] 1. Soft, moist earth or clay, having an adhesive quality; viscous mud.

As it [Nilus] ebbs, the seedsman Upon the slime and ooze scatters
his grain.

Shak.

2. Any mucilaginous substance; any substance of a dirty nature, that is moist, soft, and adhesive.

3. (Script.) Bitumen. [Archaic]

Slime had they for mortar.

Gen. xi. 3.

<! p. 1355 !>

4. pl. (Mining) Mud containing metallic ore, obtained in the preparatory dressing. Pryce.

5. (Physiol.) A mucuslike substance which exudes from the bodies of certain animals. Goldsmith.

Slime eel. (Zoöl.) See 1st Hag, 4. -- Slime pit, a pit for the collection of slime or bitumen.

Slime (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slimed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sliming.] To smear with slime. Tennyson.

Slim"i*ly (?), adv. In a slimy manner.

Slim"i*ness, n. The quality or state of being slimy.

Slim"ly (?), adv. In a state of slimness; in a slim manner; slenderly.

Slim"ness, n. The quality or state of being slim.

Slim"sy (?), a. Flimsy; frail. [Colloq. U.S.]

Slim"y (?), a. [Compar. Slimier (?); superl. Slimiest.] Of or pertaining to slime; resembling slime; of the nature of slime; viscous; glutinous; also, covered or daubed with slime; yielding, or abounding in, slime.

Slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea.

Coleridge.

Sli"ness (?), n. See Slyness.

Sling (?), n. [OE. slinge; akin to OD. slinge, D. slinger, OHG. slinga; cf. OF. eslingue, of German origin. See Sling, v. t.] 1. An instrument for throwing stones or other missiles, consisting of a short strap with two strings fastened to its ends, or with a string fastened to one end and a light stick to the other. The missile being lodged in a hole in the strap, the ends of the string are taken in the hand, and the whole whirled rapidly round until, by loosing one end, the missile is let fly with centrifugal force.

2. The act or motion of hurling as with a sling; a throw; figuratively, a stroke.

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Shak.

At one sling Of thy victorius arm, well-pleasing Son.

Milton.

3. A contrivance for sustaining anything by suspension; as: (a) A kind of hanging bandage put around the neck, in which a wounded arm or hand is supported. (b) A loop of rope, or a rope or chain with hooks, for suspending a barrel, bale, or other heavy object, in hoisting or lowering. (c) A strap attached to a firearm, for suspending it from the shoulder. (d) (Naut.) A band of rope or iron for securing a yard to a mast; -- chiefly in the plural.

Sling cart, a kind of cart used to transport cannon and their carriages, large stones, machines, etc., the objects transported being slung, or suspended by a chain attached to the axletree. -- Sling dog, one of a pair of iron hooks used as part of a sling. See def. 3 (b) above.

Sling, v. t. [imp. Slung (?), Archaic Slang (&?;); p. p. Slung; p. pr. & vb. n. Slinging.] [AS. slingan; akin to D. slingeren, G. schlingen, to wind, to twist, to creep, OHG. slingan to wind, to twist, to move to and fro, Icel. slyngva, slöngva, to sling, Sw. slunga, Dan. slynge, Lith. slinkti to creep.] 1. To throw with a sling. "Every one could sling stones at an hairbreadth, and not miss." Judg. xx. 16.

2. To throw; to hurl; to cast. Addison.

3. To hang so as to swing; as, to sling a pack.

4. (Naut) To pass a rope round, as a cask, gun, etc., preparatory to attaching a hoisting or lowering tackle.

Sling, n. [Cf. G. schlingen to swallow.] A drink composed of spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened.

Sling"er (?), n. One who slings, or uses a sling.

Slink (?), v. t. [imp. Slunk (?), Archaic Slank (&?;); p. p. Slunk; p. pr. & vb. n. Slinking.] [AS. slincan; probably akin to G. schleichen, E. sleek. See Sleek, a.] 1. To creep away meanly; to steal away; to sneak. "To slink away and hide." Tale of Beryn.

Back to the thicket slunk The guilty serpent.

Milton.

There were some few who slank obliquely from them as they passed.

Landor.

2. To miscarry; -- said of female beasts.

Slink, v. t. To cast prematurely; - - said of female beasts; as, a cow that slinks her calf.

Slink, a. 1. Produced prematurely; as, a slink calf.

2. Thin; lean. [Scot.]

Slink, n. 1. The young of a beast brought forth prematurely, esp. a calf brought forth before its time.

2. A thievish fellow; a sneak. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Slink"y (?), a. Thin; lank. [Prov. Eng. & U. S.]

Slip (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Slipped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slipping.] [OE. slippen; akin to LG. & D. slippen, MHG. slipfen (cf. Dan. slippe, Sw. slippa, Icel. sleppa), and fr. OE. slipen, AS. slpan (in comp.), akin to G. schleifen to slide, glide, drag, whet, OHG. slfan to slide, glide, make smooth, Icel. slpa to whet; cf. also AS. sl&?;pan, Goth. sliupan, OS. slopian, OHG. sliofan, G. schliefen, schl&?;pfen, which seem to come from a somewhat different root form. Cf. Slope, n.] 1. To move along the surface of a thing without bounding, rolling, or stepping; to slide; to glide.

2. To slide; to lose one's footing or one's hold; not to tread firmly; as, it is necessary to walk carefully lest the foot should slip.

3. To move or fly (out of place); to shoot; -- often with out, off, etc.; as, a bone may slip out of its place.

4. To depart, withdraw, enter, appear, intrude, or escape as if by sliding; to go or come in a quiet, furtive manner; as, some errors slipped into the work.

Thus one tradesman slips away, To give his partner fairer play.

Prior.

Thrice the flitting shadow slipped away.

Dryden.

5. To err; to fall into error or fault.

There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart.

Ecclus. xix. 16.

To let slip, to loose from the slip or noose, as a hound; to allow to escape.

Cry, "Havoc," and let slip the dogs of war.

Shak.

Slip (?), v. t. 1. To cause to move smoothly and quickly; to slide; to convey gently or secretly.

He tried to slip a powder into her drink.

Arbuthnot.

2. To omit; to loose by negligence.

And slip no advantage That my secure you.

B. Jonson.

3. To cut slips from; to cut; to take off; to make a slip or slips of; as, to slip a piece of cloth or paper.

The branches also may be slipped and planted.

Mortimer.

4. To let loose in pursuit of game, as a greyhound.

Lucento slipped me like his greyhound.

Shak.

5. To cause to slip or slide off, or out of place; as, a horse slips his bridle; a dog slips his collar.

6. To bring forth (young) prematurely; to slink.

To slip a cable. (Naut.) See under Cable. -- To slip off, to take off quickly; as, to slip off a coat. -- To slip on, to put on in haste or loosely; as, to slip on a gown or coat.

Slip, n. [AS. slipe, slip.] 1. The act of slipping; as, a slip on the ice.

2. An unintentional error or fault; a false step.

This good man's slip mended his pace to martyrdom.

Fuller.

3. A twig separated from the main stock; a cutting; a scion; hence, a descendant; as, a slip from a vine.

A native slip to us from foreign seeds.

Shak.

The girlish slip of a Sicilian bride.

R. Browning.

4. A slender piece; a strip; as, a slip of paper.

Moonlit slips of silver cloud.

Tennyson.

A thin slip of a girl, like a new moon Sure to be rounded into
beauty soon.

Longfellow.

5. A leash or string by which a dog is held; - - so called from its being made in such a manner as to slip, or become loose, by relaxation of the hand.

We stalked over the extensive plains with Killbuck and Lena in the
slips, in search of deer.

Sir S. Baker.

6. An escape; a secret or unexpected desertion; as, to give one the slip. Shak.

7. (Print.) A portion of the columns of a newspaper or other work struck off by itself; a proof from a column of type when set up and in the galley.

8. Any covering easily slipped on. Specifically: (a) A loose garment worn by a woman. (b) A child's pinafore. (c) An outside covering or case; as, a pillow slip. (d) The slip or sheath of a sword, and the like. [R.]

9. A counterfeit piece of money, being brass covered with silver. [Obs.] Shak.

10. Matter found in troughs of grindstones after the grinding of edge tools. [Prov. Eng.] Sir W. Petty.

11. Potter's clay in a very liquid state, used for the decoration of ceramic ware, and also as a cement for handles and other applied parts.

12. A particular quantity of yarn. [Prov. Eng.]

13. An inclined plane on which a vessel is built, or upon which it is hauled for repair.

14. An opening or space for vessels to lie in, between wharves or in a dock; as, Peck slip. [U. S.]

15. A narrow passage between buildings. [Eng.]

16. A long seat or narrow pew in churches, often without a door. [U. S.]

17. (Mining.) A dislocation of a lead, destroying continuity. Knight.

18. (Engin.) The motion of the center of resistance of the float of a paddle wheel, or the blade of an oar, through the water horozontally, or the difference between a vessel's actual speed and the speed which she would have if the propelling instrument acted upon a solid; also, the velocity, relatively to still water, of the backward current of water produced by the propeller.

19. (Zoöl.) A fish, the sole.

20. (Cricket) A fielder stationed on the off side and to the rear of the batsman. There are usually two of them, called respectively short slip, and long slip.

To give one the slip, to slip away from one; to elude one. -- Slip dock. See under Dock. -- Slip link (Mach.), a connecting link so arranged as to allow some play of the parts, to avoid concussion. -- Slip rope (Naut.), a rope by which a cable is secured preparatory to slipping. Totten. -- Slip stopper (Naut.), an arrangement for letting go the anchor suddenly.

Slip"board` (?), n. A board sliding in grooves.

Slip"coat` cheese" (?). A rich variety of new cheese, resembling butter, but white. Halliwell.

Slipes (?), n. pl. [Cf. Slip, v.] Sledge runners on which a skip is dragged in a mine.

Slip"knot` (?), n. knot which slips along the rope or line around which it is made.

Slip"-on` (?), n. A kind of overcoat worn upon the shoulders in the manner of a cloak. [Scot.]

Slip"page (?), n. The act of slipping; also, the amount of slipping.

Slip"per (?), n. 1. One who, or that which, slips.

2. A kind of light shoe, which may be slipped on with ease, and worn in undress; a slipshoe.

3. A kind of apron or pinafore for children.

4. A kind of brake or shoe for a wagon wheel.

5. (Mach.) A piece, usually a plate, applied to a sliding piece, to receive wear and afford a means of adjustment; -- also called shoe, and gib.

Slipper animalcule (Zoöl.), a ciliated infusorian of the genus Paramecium. -- Slipper flower.(Bot.) Slipperwort. - - Slipper limpet, or Slipper shell (Zoöl.), a boat shell.

Slip"per, a. [AS. slipur.] Slippery. [Obs.]

O! trustless state of earthly things, and slipper hope Of mortal
men.

Spenser.

Slip"pered (?), a. Wearing slippers. Shak.

Slip"per*i*ly (?), adv. In a slippery manner.

Slip"per*i*ness, n. The quality of being slippery.

Slip"per*ness, n. Slipperiness. [Obs.]

Slip"per*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) See Calceolaria.

Slip"per*y (?), a. [See Slipper, a.] 1. Having the quality opposite to adhesiveness; allowing or causing anything to slip or move smoothly, rapidly, and easily upon the surface; smooth; glib; as, oily substances render things slippery.

2. Not affording firm ground for confidence; as, a slippery promise.

The slippery tops of human state.

Cowley.

3. Not easily held; liable or apt to slip away.

The slippery god will try to loose his hold.

Dryden.

4. Liable to slip; not standing firm. Shak.

5. Unstable; changeable; mutable; uncertain; inconstant; fickle. "The slippery state of kings." Denham.

6. Uncertain in effect. L'Estrange.

7. Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals. Shak.

Slippery elm. (Bot.) (a) An American tree (Ulmus fulva) with a mucilagenous and slightly aromatic inner bark which is sometimes used medicinally; also, the inner bark itself. (b) A malvaceous shrub (Fremontia Californica); -- so called on the Pacific coast.

Slip"pi*ness (?), n. Slipperiness. [R.] "The slippiness of the way." Sir W. Scott.

Slip"py (?), a. [AS. slipeg.] Slippery.

Slip"shod` (?), a. 1. Wearing shoes or slippers down at the heel.

The shivering urchin bending as he goes, With slipshod heels.

Cowper.

2. Figuratively: Careless in dress, manners, style, etc.; slovenly; shuffling; as, slipshod manners; a slipshod or loose style of writing.

Thy wit shall ne'er go slipshod.

Shak.

Slip"shoe` (?), n. A slipper. Halliwell.

Slip"skin` (?), a. Evasive. [Obs.] Milton.

Slip"slop` (?), n. [A reduplication of slop.] Weak, poor, or flat liquor; weak, profitless discourse or writing.

Slip"string` (?), n. One who has shaken off restraint; a prodigal. [Obs.] Cotgrave.

Slip"thrift` (?), n. A spendthrift. [Obs.]

Slish (?), n. [A corruption of slash.] A cut; as, slish and slash. [Colloq.] Shak.

Slit (?), obs. 3d. pers. sing. pres. of Slide. Chaucer.

Slit (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slit or Slitted (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Slitting.] [OE. slitten, fr. sliten, AS. sttan to tear; akin to D. slijten to wear out, G. schleissen to slit, split, OHG. slzan to split, tear, wear out, Icel. stta to break, tear, wear out, Sw. slita, Dan. slide. Cf. Eclat, Slate, n., Slice.] 1. To cut lengthwise; to cut into long pieces or strips; as, to slit iron bars into nail rods; to slit leather into straps.

2. To cut or make a long fissure in or upon; as, to slit the ear or the nose.

3. To cut; to sever; to divide. [Obs.]

And slits the thin-spun life.

Milton.

Slit, n. [AS. slite.] A long cut; a narrow opening; as, a slit in the ear.

Gill slit. (Anat.) See Gill opening, under Gill.

Slith"er (?), v. i. [Cf. G. schlittern, LG. schliddern. See Slide.] To slide; to glide. [Prov. Eng.]

Slit"-shell" (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any species of Pleurotomaria, a genus of beautiful, pearly, spiral gastropod shells having a deep slit in the outer lip. Many fossil species are known, and a few living ones are found in deep water in tropical seas.

Slit"ter (?), n. One who, or that which, slits.

Slit"ting (?), a. & n. from Slit.

Slitting file. See Illust. (i) of File. -- Slitting mill. (a) A mill where iron bars or plates are slit into narrow strips, as nail rods, and the like. (b) A machine used by lapidaries for slicing stones, usually by means of a revolving disk, called a slicer, supplied with diamond powder. -- Slitting roller, one of a pair of rollers furnished with ribs entering between similar ribs in the other roller, and cutting like shears, -- used in slitting metals.

Slive (?), v. i. [Cf. Slip.] To sneak. [Prov. Eng.]

Slive, v. t. [OE. sliven to split, cleave, AS. slfan.] To cut; to split; to separate. [Obs.] Holland.

Sliv"er (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slivered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slivering.] [See Slive, v. t.] To cut or divide into long, thin pieces, or into very small pieces; to cut or rend lengthwise; to slit; as, to sliver wood. Shak.

They 'll sliver thee like a turnip.

Sir W. Scott.

Sliv"er, n. 1. A long piece cut ot rent off; a sharp, slender fragment; a splinter.

2. A strand, or slender roll, of cotton or other fiber in a loose, untwisted state, produced by a carding machine and ready for the roving or slubbing which preceeds spinning.

3. pl. Bait made of pieces of small fish. Cf. Kibblings. [Local, U.S.] Bartlett.

Sloak"an (?), n. (Bot.) A species of seaweed. [Spelled also slowcawn.] See 3d Laver.

Sloam (?), n. (Mining) A layer of earth between coal seams.

Sloat (?), n. [See Slot a bar.] A narrow piece of timber which holds together large pieces; a slat; as, the sloats of a cart.

Slob"ber (?), v. t. & i. See Slabber.

Slob"ber, n. 1. See Slabber.

2. (Zoöl.) A jellyfish. [Prov. Eng.]

3. pl. (Vet.) Salivation.

Slob"ber*er (?), n. 1. One who slobbers.

2. A slovenly farmer; a jobbing tailor. [Prov. Eng.]

Slob"ber*y (?), a. Wet; sloppy, as land. Shak.

{ Slock (?), Slock"en (?), } v. t. To quench; to allay; to slake. See Slake. [Obs. or Scot.]

Slock"ing, a. & n. from Slock.

Slocking stone, a rich piece of ore displayed in order to tempt persons to embark in a mining enterprise.

Sloe (?), n. [OE. slo, AS. sl; akin to D. slee, G. schlehe, OHG. sl$ha, Dan. slaaen, Sw. sl&?;n, perhaps originally, that which blunts the teeth, or sets them on edge (cf. Slow); cf. Lith. sliwa a plum, Russ. sliva.] (Bot.) A small, bitter, wild European plum, the fruit of the blackthorn (Prunus spinosa); also, the tree itself.

Slo"gan (?), n. [Gael. sluagh- ghairm, i.e., an army cry; sluagh army + gairm a call, calling.] The war cry, or gathering word, of a Highland clan in Scotland; hence, any rallying cry. Sir W. Scott.

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Slog"gy (?), a. Sluggish. [Obs.]

Somnolence that is sloggy slumbering

Chaucer.

Sloke (?), n. (Bot.) See Sloakan.

{ Sloo (?), or Slue (?) }, n. A slough; a run or wet place. See 2d Slough, 2.

Sloom (?), n. Slumber. [Prov. Eng.]

Sloom"y (?), a. Sluggish; slow. [Prov. Eng.]

Sloop (?), n.[D. sloep, of uncertain origin. Cf. Shallop.] (Naut.) A vessel having one mast and fore-and-aft rig, consisting of a boom-and-gaff mainsail, jibs, staysail, and gaff topsail. The typical sloop has a fixed bowsprit, topmast, and standing rigging, while those of a cutter are capable of being readily shifted. The sloop usually carries a centerboard, and depends for stability upon breadth of beam rather than depth of keel. The two types have rapidly approximated since 1880. One radical distinction is that a slop may carry a centerboard. See Cutter, and Illustration in Appendix.

Sloop of war, formerly, a vessel of war rigged either as a ship, brig, or schooner, and mounting from ten to thirty-two guns; now, any war vessel larger than a gunboat, and carrying guns on one deck only.

Slop (?), n. [OE. sloppe a pool; akin to As. sloppe, slyppe, the sloppy droppings of a cow; cf. AS. sl&?;pan to slip, and E. slip, v.i. Cf. Cowslip.] 1. Water or other liquid carelessly spilled or thrown aboyt, as upon a table or a floor; a puddle; a soiled spot.

2. Mean and weak drink or liquid food; -- usually in the plural.

3. pl. Dirty water; water in which anything has been washed or rinsed; water from wash-bowls, etc.

Slop basin, or Slop bowl, a basin or bowl for holding slops, especially for receiving the rinsings of tea or coffee cups at the table. -- Slop molding (Brickmaking), a process of manufacture in which the brick is carried to the drying ground in a wet mold instead of on a pallet.

Slop, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Slopped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slopping.] 1. To cause to overflow, as a liquid, by the motion of the vessel containing it; to spill.