The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 1565

Chapter 15652,686 wordsPublic domain

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 <Xpage=1355>

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 handless 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. (Zo\'94l.) 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 .

<-- 21. A slip dock (see below) -->

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.

Slipboard <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipcoat cheese <Xpage=1355>

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

Halliwell.

Slipes <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipknot <Xpage=1355>

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

Slip-on <Xpage=1355>

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

Slippage <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipper <Xpage=1355>

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 (Zo\'94l.) , a ciliated infusorian of the genus Paramecium . -- Slipper flower . (Bot.) Slipperwort. -- Slipper limpet , &or; Slipper shell (Zo\'94l.) , a boat shell.

Slipper <Xpage=1355>

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

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

Slippered <Xpage=1355>

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

Shak.

Slipperily <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipperiness <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipperness <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipperwort <Xpage=1355>

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

Slippery <Xpage=1355>

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.

Slippiness <Xpage=1355>

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

Sir W. Scott.

Slippy <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipshod <Xpage=1355>

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.

Slipshoe <Xpage=1355>

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

Halliwell.

Slipskin <Xpage=1355>

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

Milton.

Slipslop <Xpage=1355>

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

Slipstring <Xpage=1355>

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

Cotgrave.

Slipthrift <Xpage=1355>

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

Slish <Xpage=1355>

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

Shak.

Slit <Xpage=1355>

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

Chaucer.

Slit <Xpage=1355>

Slit (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Slit or Slitted (<?/) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Slitting .] [OE. slitten , fr. sliten , AS. st\'c6tan to tear; akin to D. slijten to wear out, G. schleissen to slit, split, OHG. sl\'c6zan to split, tear, wear out, Icel. st\'c6ta 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 <Xpage=1355>

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

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

Slither <Xpage=1355>

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

Slit-shell <Xpage=1355>

Slit"-shell" (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) 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.

Slitter <Xpage=1355>

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

Slitting <Xpage=1355>

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 <Xpage=1355>

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

Slive <Xpage=1355>

Slive , v. t. [OE. sliven to split, cleave, AS. sl\'c6fan .] To cut; to split; to separate. [Obs.]

Holland.

Sliver <Xpage=1355>

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.

Sliver <Xpage=1355>

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.

Sloakan <Xpage=1355>

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

Sloam <Xpage=1355>

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

Sloat <Xpage=1355>

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

Slobber <Xpage=1355>

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

Slobber <Xpage=1355>

Slob"ber , n. 1. See Slabber .

2. (Zo\'94l.) A jellyfish. [Prov. Eng.]

3. pl. (Vet.) Salivation.

Slobberer <Xpage=1355>

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

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

Slobbery <Xpage=1355>

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

Shak.

Slock, Slocken <Xpage=1355>

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

Slocking <Xpage=1355>

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 <Xpage=1355>

Sloe (?) , n. [OE. slo , AS. sl\'be ; 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.

Slogan <Xpage=1355>

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.

<page="1356"> Page 1356

Sloggy <Xpage=1356>

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

Somnolence that is sloggy slumbering Chaucer.

Sloke <Xpage=1356>

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

Sloo, &or; Slue <Xpage=1356>

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

Sloom <Xpage=1356>

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

Sloomy <Xpage=1356>

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

Sloop <Xpage=1356>

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 <Xpage=1356>

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 <Xpage=1356>

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.

2. To spill liquid upon; to soil with a liquid spilled.

Slop <Xpage=1356>

Slop , v. i. To overflow or be spilled as a liquid, by the motion of the vessel containing it; -- often with over .

Slop <Xpage=1356>

Slop , n. [AS. slop a frock or over-garment, fr. sl<?/pan to slip, to slide; akin to Icel sloppr a thin garment; cf. OHG. slouf a garment. Cf. Slip , v. i. ] 1. Any kind of outer garment made of linen or cotton, as a night dress, or a smock frock. [Obs.]

Halliwell.

2. A loose lower garment; loose breeches; chiefly used in the plural. "A pair of slops ."

Sir P. Sidney.

There's a French salutation to your French slop . Shak.

3. pl. Ready-made clothes; also, among seamen, clothing, bedding, and other furnishings.

Slope <Xpage=1356>

Slope (?) , n. [Formed (like abode fr. abide ) from OE. slipen . See Slip , v. i. ] 1. An oblique direction; a line or direction including from a horizontal line or direction; also, sometimes, an inclination, as of one line or surface to another.

2. Any ground whose surface forms an angle with the plane of the horizon.

buildings the summit and slope of a hill. Macaulay.

Under the slopes of Pisgah. Deut. iv. 49. (Rev. Ver.).

&hand; A slope , considered as descending , is a declivity ; considered as ascending , an acclivity .

Slope of a plane (Geom.) , the direction of the plane; as, parallel planes have the same slope .

Slope <Xpage=1356>

Slope , a. Sloping. "Down the slope hills."

Milton.

A bank not steep, but gently slope . Bacon.

Slope <Xpage=1356>

Slope , adv. In a sloping manner. [Obs.]

Milton.

Slope <Xpage=1356>

Slope , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Sloped (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sloping .] To form with a slope; to give an oblique or slanting direction to; to direct obliquely; to incline; to slant; as, to slope the ground in a garden; to slope a piece of cloth in cutting a garment.

Slope <Xpage=1356>

Slope , v. i. 1. To take an oblique direction; to be at an angle with the plane of the horizon; to incline; as, the ground slopes .

2. To depart; to disappear suddenly. [Slang]

Slopeness <Xpage=1356>

Slope"ness , n. State of being slope.

Sir H. Wotton.

Slopewise <Xpage=1356>

Slope"wise` (?) , adv. Obliquely. [Obs.]

Carew.

Sloping <Xpage=1356>