| 释义 |
slack·en
I. \ˈslakən\ verb
(slackened ; slackened ; slackening \-k(ə)niŋ\ ; slackens)
transitive verb
1. : to render less active : hold back
< slacken a flow of water >
< slacken one's interest >
: slow up : abate, moderate, retard
< slacken one's speed >
2. : to render slack (as by lessening tension, tautness, firmness) : loosen
< slacken sail >
intransitive verb
1. : to become slack or slow or negligent : slow down
< determined not to slacken as a correspondent — Jane Austen >
2. : to become less active : slack
Synonyms: see delay
II. noun
also slak·in \ˈslakə̇n\
(-s)
Etymology: modification of obsolete German schlacken (now schlacke), from or akin to Middle Low German slagge slag — more at slag
: slag mixed with ores in smelting to promote their fusion |