slackenn.
Slag. There is no evidence that the word has ever had any real currency in English.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > materials used in metallurgical processes > [noun] > other metallurgical materials
fixes1594
spalt1668
slacken1670
thickening1872
cementa1877
fake1877
salt bath1913
inoculant1931
1670 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 5 1197 They ordinarily melt it..by the help of Iron-stone..and Slacken (a scum or cake taken off from the top of the pan, into which the melted Minerals run).
1693 T. P. Blount Nat. Hist. 233 To this..they add Limestone and Slacken, and Melt them together.
a1744 Lucas in Trans. Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archæol. Soc. (1908) 8 36 Slaken as the Germans call them, or old Cinders, which they here call Forest Cinders.
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. Slacken, in metallurgy, a term used by the miners to express a spungy and semivitrified substance (etc. Hence in later Dicts.).
1837 L. Hebert Engin. & Mech. Encycl. II Slakin, a term used by smelters to express a spongy, semi-vitrified substance, which they mix with the ores of metal, to prevent their fusion. (Hence in Francis, Knight, etc.)]
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
slackenv.
/ˈslak(ə)n/, U.S. /ˈslækən/ I. transitive.
1. figurative.1837 T. Jones Christian Warrior iv. ii. 84 Do not slacken your pace in religion because of reproaches.
a. To cause to become slower; to delay or retard.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (transitive)] > reduce (speed) > cause to reduce speed
check1393
slow1557
lag1570
slack1577
slacken1580
slug1605
trasha1616
overslow1619
beslowa1644
steady1812
to slow up1868
decelerate1899
1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong Tarder, to hinder, to slacken.
1632 T. Hawkins tr. P. Matthieu Vnhappy Prosperitie 283 That the Sunne denyeth her his beames, that her presence slackneth his rising.
1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. iv. xxv. 303 Some alteration..of Vital Motion,..namely, by quickning or slackening..the same.
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 113/2 You may slacken the current of the Water, by making it run winding.
1794 T. Davis Gen. View Agric. Wilts. 91 The ‘clinginess’ [of the soil]..may tend to slacken the step of the Wiltshire ploughman.
1833 H. Martineau Briery Creek ii. 42 The production of the one will be slackened, and that of the other quickened, till they are made equal.
1878 T. H. Huxley Physiography (ed. 2) 130 As the river approaches its mouth, the flow becomes slackened.
b. To allow (one's pace, etc.) to become slower; to diminish or lessen (speed).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (transitive)] > reduce (speed)
slack1633
slacken1749
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xii. v. 222 Partridge being unable any longer to keep up with Jones,..begged him a little to slacken his Pace. View more context for this quotation
1796 F. Burney Camilla IV. vii. viii. 103 Neither quickening nor slackening his pace as he approached.
1853 J. W. Carlyle Lett. II. 213 I..slackened my steps, till they were clear off.
1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting vi. 186 I gave him a bullet.., which soon caused him to slacken his pace.
1896 Law Times Rep. 73 615/1 [The engine-driver] did not slacken speed.
2.
a. To render less vigorous or eager; to cause to fall off or decline.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > make less active or vigorous
slake1549
relax1612
slackena1631
rebate1788
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1956) VIII. 369 Such a rest..as shall slacken our endeavour, to make sure our Salvation.
a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 39 Religion seemeth to smother or to slacken the..alacrity of men in following Profit.
1719 Free-thinker No. 87. 1 Riches had no Allurements to slacken their Enquiries.
1807 J. Barlow Columbiad iv. 154 Thy freeborn sons..Nor sloth can slacken nor a tyrant bind.
1839 F. A. Kemble Jrnl. Resid. Georgian Plantation (1863) 26 The sight of which..is enough to slacken the appetite.
1896 T. F. Tout Edward I (ed. 2) iii. 47 The best and the worst of motives combined to slacken crusading enthusiasm.
b. To allow to become less vigorous, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > make less active or vigorous > allow to become less vigorous
slack1560
slackena1631
a1631 J. Donne Serm. (1954) VII. 424 If we slacken our holy industry in making sure our salvation, we..may be cast out.
1665 W. Temple Let. to Ld. Arlington in Wks. (1720) II. 6 I know him to be a Man too firm to be diverted from his Point, or slacken it without some such Maim.
1841 M. Elphinstone Hist. India I. v. iii. 541 The Hindús..first slackened their efforts, and at last gave way and dispersed.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. xiv. 784 In the heat of their new warfare they slackened their opposition to the church.
3.
a. To relax in point of strictness or severity.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > lessen in strictness or severity [verb (transitive)]
tolerate1579
slacken1605
relax1612
loosen1803
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. K1 The temperate vse of the prerogatiue, not slackened, nor much strayned. View more context for this quotation
1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 24 In matters not very bad or impure, a human law-giver may slacken somthing of that which is exactly good.
1697 G. Burghope Disc. Relig. Assemblies 180 The laws for coming to church have been slackned in favour to the scrupulous dissenters.
b. To render (a person) less severe or stern.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of strictness > lessen in strictness or severity [verb (transitive)] > make person less strict or severe
slacken1685
1685 F. Spence tr. A. Varillas Άνεκδοτα Ὲτερουιακα 168 There was some glimmering of hope, that..it would not be impossible to slacken and mollifie him if he gave him audience.
4. To give relaxation to (one's thoughts, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > [verb (transitive)] > relax (the mind, etc.)
relaschc1586
unbend1591
slacken1642
unwind1958
1642 J. Denham Cooper's Hill 14 When great affaires Give leave to slacken, and unbend his cares.
a1807 W. Wordsworth Prelude (1959) i. 6 Where down I sate Beneath a tree, slackening my thoughts by choice, And settling into gentler happiness.
5. To moderate, make less intense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)]
temperc1000
keelc1175
slakea1300
abate?c1335
settle1338
swagea1340
modifyc1385
rebatea1398
bate1398
moder1414
releasea1425
remiss?a1425
moderate1435
alethe?1440
delaya1450
appal1470
addulce1477
mollify1496
mean?a1513
relent1535
qualify1536
temperatea1540
aplake1578
slack1589
relaxate1598
milden1603
mitigate1611
relax1612
alleniate1615
allay1628
alloy1634
castigate1653
smoothen1655
tendera1656
mitify1656
meeken1662
remitigate1671
obviscate1684
slacken1685
chastise1704
dulcify1744
absorb1791
demulceate1817
chasten1856
modulate1974
mediate1987
1685 Lady Russell Lett. I. xxii. 58 That consideration should in reason slacken the fierce rages of grief.
1796 Glasse's Art of Cookery (new ed.) xxv. 377 Make a pretty brisk Fire..then slacken it so as just to have enough to keep the Still at Work.
6.
a. To render, to allow to become, less tense, taut, or firm; to reduce the tension of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > types of softness > [verb (transitive)] > make slack or not tense
resolvea1398
remit?1518
slacken1611
unstretch1611
unstrain1616
ease1627
relieve1814
untighten1836
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Lascher, to slacken, wyden, loose, vnbend, let out.
1668 A. Marvell Let. 18 Apr. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 73 Yesterday Harman was brought to the House to giue account of slackning saile in the first victory.
1768 H. Brooke Fool of Quality III. xvi. 172 Slackening our sail, and heaving out a small boat.
1798 S. Lee Young Lady's Tale in H. Lee Canterbury Tales II. 246 She slackened the reins.
1823 J. Galt Ringan Gilhaize I. xxii. 244 Being then somewhat slackened in the joints of the right side by a paralytic.
1900 Jrnl. Soc. Dyers & Colourists 16 12 The yarn is alternately stretched and slackened.
b. In figurative contexts.
ΚΠ
1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ vi. li. 79 Nor shall this storm slacken a whit that firm ligue of love, wherin I am eternally tied unto you.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. i. 70 A Superior..who, having the Reins in His hand, could Slacken them according to his own humour.
1861 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilization Eng. II. viii. 467 In Spain, directly government slackened its hold, the nation fell to pieces.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. xvi. 140 Most of its money-mills were slackening sail, or had left off grinding for the day.
c. To cause to relax; to weaken.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > weaken (something immaterial)
to thin off, downc900
feeblea1340
allayc1450
debilite1483
mollify1496
weak1502
geld?1507
water1529
appale?1530
labefact?1539
debilitate1541
mortify1553
effeeble1571
dilutea1575
soften1576
unsinew1599
melt1600
infringe1604
weaken1609
unbenda1616
dissinew1640
slacken1663
thin1670
resolve1715
imbecilitate1809
imbecile1829
to let down1832
to water down1832
the world > space > relative position > posture > action of placing or holding body in relaxed posture > place or hold body in relaxed posture [verb (transitive)] > specific part of body
relax?a1425
remit?1518
loll1575
hang1598
relaxate1598
loba1616
flag1637
slacken1663
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > weakening > weaken [verb (transitive)]
unstrengea1225
unstrength?c1225
feeblea1340
affeeblea1400
weakc1400
affeeblishc1450
enfeeblisha1492
pallc1500
weaken1569
effeeblish?1572
unstrengthen1598
labefy1620
unnerve1621
unmasculate1639
unbrace1711
sinka1715
infirmize1751
slacken1778
exhaust1860
1663 A. Cowley Complaint vii Thou slacknest all my Nerves of Industry.
1689 J. Collier Moral Ess. conc. Pride 61 Such a Partiality will slacken the Nerves of Industry.
1778 R. Lowth Isaiah xiii. 7 Therefore shall all hands be slackened.
7. To make loose, to loosen. Also reflexive.
ΚΠ
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. & Art I. 54 By slackening the screws..the puppets are at liberty to slide horizontally.
1869 W. J. M. Rankine Cycl. Machine & Hand-tools Pl.P 11 The rotation of the mandril is continued until the tyre is slackened by the continued action of the rollers.
1869 W. J. M. Rankine Cycl. Machine & Hand-tools Pl.P 13 The vice gradually slackens itself from the severe shake and strain it is receiving.
II. intransitive.
8. Of persons: To become lax, remiss, or negligent; to grow less energetic or eager.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > become less violent or severe [verb (intransitive)] > relax one's efforts
slakec1000
slakea1225
flakec1500
slack1560
slacken1641
relax1652
to slack one's hand(s)1688
to drop off1827
ease1863
slack1864
to ease off1925
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > be careless or negligent [verb (intransitive)] > be careless or remiss > grow remiss
slacken1641
1641 J. Milton Of Reformation 60 When the people slacken, and fall to loosenes, and riot.
1800 W. Wordsworth Michael 443 Meantime Luke began To slacken in his duty.
1854 Freeman in Ecclesiologist XV. 320 At this point I feel that I must begin to slacken.
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. Netherlands (1868) I. iii. 81 Preventing them..from slackening in their determined hostility to Spain.
9.
a. To diminish in respect of strength, vigour, intensity, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > become less violent or severe [verb (intransitive)] > lose vigour or intensity
swindOE
wane1297
forslacka1300
keelc1325
deadc1384
abatea1387
flag1639
to go off1642
subsidea1645
slacken1651
flat1654
lower1699
relax1701
deaden1723
entame1768
sober1825
lighten1827
sletch1847
slow1849
languish1855
bate1860
to slow up1861
to slow down1879
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxx. 178 Their Obedience (in which the safety of the Common-wealth consisteth) slackened.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 738 My penance hath not slack'n'd, though my pardon No way assur'd. View more context for this quotation
a1745 J. Swift William II in Wks. (1768) XIII. 265 In a few years the piety of these adventurers began to slacken.
1794 Ld. Nelson Let. 20 July in Dispatches & Lett. (1844) I. 451 Our exertions must not slacken.
1828 C. Lamb Old Margate Hoy in Elia 2nd Ser. 39 In a poor week, imagination slackens.
1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (ed. 2) IV. xviii. 116 The assault must have begun to slacken; for he feared a sally of the besieged.
b. Of fire, wind, tides, or other natural forces or processes.
ΚΠ
1666 S. Pepys Diary 9 Nov. (1972) VII. 363 By and by comes news that the fire is slackened.
1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot Trav. into Levant ii. 155 The Wind slackened so at this place, that we scarcely made any way at all.
1794 G. Adams Lect. Nat. & Exper. Philos. III. xxxi. 330 When the impulse slackens, the fly communicates part of it's motion.
1800 tr. E. J. B. Bouillon-Lagrange Man. Course Chem. II. 309 When the distillation begins to slacken, unlute the apparatus.
1831 H. T. De la Beche Geol. Man. ii. 98 The currents run with the wind..and slacken in September.
1885 Manch. Examiner 12 Jan. 6/1 The intensest heat is white, if it slackens it becomes faintly coloured.
c. Of business, etc.: To become less active or brisk. (See also quot. 1828.)
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > business affairs > [verb (intransitive)] > of business activity: fall off
slack1609
slacken1725
to turn down1936
downshift1974
1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. ii. 25 Markets slacken much on this side.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Slacken, to fall in price. ‘Corn begins to slacken.’
1832 H. Martineau Hill & Valley iv. 63 When the demand for iron slackens.
1874 J. Ruskin Fors Clavigera IV. xlviii. 267 Faster and faster slackens the demand for tea.
10.
a. To diminish in speed; to become slower.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > decrease speed
slack1580
slow1594
slacken1734
to flag rein1848
steady1850
to slow down1857
to slow up1861
decelerate1928
downshift1974
1734 tr. P. L. M. de Maupertuis Diss. Cœlestial Bodies 65 in J. Keill Exam. Burnet's Theory of Earth (ed. 2) In those distant parts, the velocity of the Comet slackens.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 155 How oft upon yon eminence our pace Has slacken'd to a pause.
1822 W. Scott Fortunes of Nigel II. v. 107 As he approached the entrance to that den of infamy..his pace slackened.
1893 H. D. Traill Social Eng. Introd. p. xxxiv Through the first half of the ensuing century the rate of progress in the sciences a little slackens.
b. To begin to go more slowly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > decrease speed > begin to go more slowly
slacken1837
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. i. iv. 36 At a high trot, they start; and keep up that pace. For the jibes..do not tempt one to slacken.
1850 ‘S. Yendys’ Roman vi. 75 The tired ox slackens in the furrow.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iii. xv. 140 ‘That was well done!’ panted Bella, slackening in the next street, and subsiding into a walk.
11. Of lime: To become slaked.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > lime materials > actions of lime materials [verb (intransitive)] > slake
fry1624
slack1700
slacken1703
slake1766
1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 206 Bricklayers..let the Lime slacken and cool before they make up their Mortar.
12. To become less tense or firm.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > softness > types of softness > [verb (intransitive)] > be or become slack or not tense
relax?a1425
slack1577
relaxate1598
slacken1850
unstretch1888
1850 H. T. Cheever Whale & his Captors ix. 140 The line for an instant slackened.
1892 D. A. Low Introd. Machine Drawing 20 When in this condition the nut has no tendency to slacken back.
1894 H. Caine Manxman iii. vii Her clenched hands slackened away from his neck.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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