slough

noun \ ˈslü , ˈslau̇ ; in the US (except in New England) ˈslü is usual for sense 1 with those to whom the sense is familiar ; British usually ˈslau̇ for both senses \

Definition of slough

1 a : a place of deep mud or mire

b or less commonly slew or slue play \ˈslü\

(1) : swamp

(2) : an inlet on a river; also : backwater

(3) : a creek in a marsh or tide flat

2 : a state of moral degradation or spiritual dejection

—

sloughy

play \ˈslü-ē, ˈslau̇-ē\ adjective

slough was our Word of the Day on 04/28/2017. Hear the podcast!

Origin and Etymology of slough

Middle English sloughe, slo, from Old English slōh; akin to Middle High German slouche ditch

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Ecology Terms

Malthusian, anthropogenic, biomass, carbon footprint, crepuscular, niche, sere, symbiosis, taiga, tundra

slough

verb

Definition of slough

transitive verb

: to engulf in a slough

intransitive verb

: to plod through or as if through mud : slog

First Known Use of slough

1846

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

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slough

noun \ ˈsləf \

variants: or less commonly sluff

Definition of slough

1 : the cast-off skin of a snake

2 : a mass of dead tissue separating from an ulcer

3 : something that may be shed or cast off

Origin and Etymology of slough

Middle English slughe; akin to Middle High German slūch snakeskin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

slough

verb \ ˈsləf \

variants: or less commonly sluff

Definition of slough

intransitive verb

1 a : to become shed or cast off

b : to cast off one's skin

c : to separate in the form of dead tissue from living tissue

2 : to crumble slowly and fall away

transitive verb

1 : to cast off

2 a : to get rid of or discard as irksome, objectionable, or disadvantageous —usually used with off

b : to dispose of (a losing card in bridge) by discarding

First Known Use of slough

1720

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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Synonym Discussion of slough

discard, cast, shed, slough, scrap, junk mean to get rid of. discard implies the letting go or throwing away of something that has become useless or superfluous though often not intrinsically valueless.

- discard old clothes

cast, especially when used with off, away, or out, implies a forceful rejection or repudiation.

- cast off her friends

shed and slough imply a throwing off of something both useless and encumbering and often suggest a consequent renewal of vitality or luster.

- shed a bad habit
- finally sloughed off the depression

scrap and junk imply throwing away or breaking up as worthless in existent form.

- scrap all the old ways
- would junk our educational system

Slough

geographical name \ ˈslau̇ \

Definition of Slough

town in Berkshire, southeast central England, west of London population 155,000

SLOUGH Defined for Kids

slough

noun \ ˈslü , ˈslau̇ \

Definition of slough for Students

: a wet marshy or muddy place

Medical Dictionary

slough

noun \ ˈsləf \

medical Definition of slough

: dead tissue separating from living tissue; especially : a mass of dead tissue separating from an ulcer

slough

intransitive verb

medical Definition of slough

: to separate in the form of dead tissue from living tissue

dermal sloughing

transitive verb

: to cast off

slough dead tissue

the uterine lining is sloughed

Learn More about slough

See words that rhyme with slough Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slough Spanish Central: Translation of slough Nglish: Translation of slough for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slough for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about slough

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slough

Definition of slough

sloughy

slough was our Word of the Day on 04/28/2017. Hear the podcast!

Origin and Etymology of slough

Other Ecology Terms

slough

Definition of slough

First Known Use of slough

slough

Definition of slough

Origin and Etymology of slough

slough

Definition of slough

First Known Use of slough

Synonym Discussion of slough

Slough

Definition of Slough

SLOUGH Defined for Kids

slough

Definition of slough for Students

Medical Dictionary

slough

medical Definition of slough

slough

medical Definition of slough

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