Dictionary entry

Slack (6)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

{ Slack (?), Slack″en (?), } v. i. [imp. & p. p.Slacked (?), Slackened (�); p. pr. & vb. n.Slacking, Slackening.] [See Slack, a.] 1. To become slack; to be made less tense, firm, or rigid; to decrease in tension; as, a wet cord slackens in dry weather.

2. To be remiss or backward; to be negligent.

3. To lose cohesion or solidity by a chemical combination with water; to slake; as, lime slacks.

4. To abate; to become less violent.

Whence these raging fires

Will slacken, if his breath stir not their flames. Milton.

5. To lose rapidity; to become more slow; as, a current of water slackens.

6. To languish; to fail; to flag.

7. To end; to cease; to desist; to slake.

That through your death your lineage should slack. Chaucer.

They will not of that firste purpose slack. Chaucer.