The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 1564

Chapter 15642,760 wordsPublic domain

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 <Xpage=1354>

Slide , n. [AS. sl\'c6de .] 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. <-- also mudslide -->

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.

<-- illustration of a slide 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.

Slidegroat <Xpage=1354>

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

Slider <Xpage=1354>

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

Chaucer.

Slider <Xpage=1354>

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

2. (Zo\'94l.) The red-bellied terrapin ( Pseudemys rugosa ). [Local, U. S. ]

Slider pump , a form of rotary pump.

Sliding <Xpage=1354>

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.

Slidometer <Xpage=1354>

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

Slight <Xpage=1354>

Slight (?) , n. Sleight.

Spenser.

Slight <Xpage=1354>

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 <Xpage=1354>

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. sl\'84t , Goth. sla\'a1hts ; 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 <Xpage=1354>

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 <Xpage=1354>

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 <Xpage=1354>

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

Think not so slight of glory. Milton.

Slighten <Xpage=1354>

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

B. Jonson.

Slighter <Xpage=1354>

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

Slightful <Xpage=1354>

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

Slighting <Xpage=1354>

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

Slightingly <Xpage=1354>

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

Slightly <Xpage=1354>

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

2. Slightingly; negligently. [Obs.]

Shak.

Slightness <Xpage=1354>

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

Slighty <Xpage=1354>

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

Echard.

Slik <Xpage=1354>

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

&hand; Used by Chaucer as of the Northern dialect.

Silkensides <Xpage=1354>

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

Slily <Xpage=1354>

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

South.

Slim <Xpage=1354>

Slim (?) , 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 <Xpage=1354>

Slime (?) , n. [OE. slim , AS. sl\'c6m ; akin to D. slijm , G. schleim , MHG. sl\'c6men to make smooth, Icel. sl\'c6m 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.

<page="1355"> Page 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 . (Zo\'94l.) See 1st Hag , 4. -- Slime pit , a pit for the collection of slime or bitumen.

Slime <Xpage=1355>

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

Tennyson.

Slimily <Xpage=1355>

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

Sliminess <Xpage=1355>

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

Slimly <Xpage=1355>

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

Slimness <Xpage=1355>

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

Slimsy <Xpage=1355>

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

Slimy <Xpage=1355>

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.

Sliness <Xpage=1355>

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

Sling <Xpage=1355>

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 <Xpage=1355>

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 , sl\'94ngva , 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 <Xpage=1355>

Sling , n. [Cf. G. schlingen to swallow.] A drink composed of spirit (usually gin) and water sweetened. <-- as, a Singapore sling. -->

Slinger <Xpage=1355>

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

Slink <Xpage=1355>

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 <Xpage=1355>

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

Slink <Xpage=1355>

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

2. Thin; lean. [Scot.]

Slink <Xpage=1355>

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.]

Slinky <Xpage=1355>

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

Slip <Xpage=1355>

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. sl\'c6pan (in comp.), akin to G. schleifen to slide, glide, drag, whet, OHG. sl\'c6fan to slide, glide, make smooth, Icel. sl\'c6pa 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 <Xpage=1355>

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.