slur

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noun \ ˈslər \

Definition of slur

1 a :an insulting or disparaging remark or innuendo :aspersion

b :a shaming or degrading effect :stain, stigma

2 :a blurred spot in printed matter :smudge

Origin and Etymology of slur

obsolete English dialect slur thin mud, from Middle English sloor; akin to Middle High German slier mud

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1609

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slur

verb

Definition of slur

slurred; slurring

transitive verb

1 :to cast aspersions on :disparage

slurred his reputation

2 :to make indistinct :obscure

intransitive verb

:to slip so as to cause a slur —used of a sheet being printed

First Known Use of slur

1660

slur

verb

Definition of slur

slurred; slurring

transitive verb

1 a :to slide or slip over without due mention, consideration, or emphasis

slurred over certain facts

b :to perform hurriedly :skimp

let him not slur his lesson
—R. W. Emerson

2 :to perform (successive tones of different pitch) in a smooth or connected manner

3 a :to reduce, make a substitution for, or omit (sounds that would normally occur in an utterance)

b :to utter with such reduction, substitution, or omission of sounds

his speech was slurred

intransitive verb

1 dialectal, chiefly England :slip, slide

2 :drag, shuffle

Origin and Etymology of slur

probably from Low German slurrn to shuffle; akin to Middle English sloor mud

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1660

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slur

noun

Definition of slur

1 a :a curved line connecting notes to be sung to the same syllable or performed without a break

b :the combination of two or more slurred tones

2 :a slurring manner of speech

First Known Use of slur

circa 1801

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

SLUR Defined for Kids

slur

play

noun \ ˈslər \

Definition of slur for Students

:an insulting remark

slur

verb

Definition of slur for Students

slurred; slurring

:to speak in a way that is difficult to understand

slur

noun

Definition of slur for Students

:a way of talking that is difficult to understand

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See words that rhyme with slur Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for slur Spanish Central: Translation of slur Nglish: Translation of slur for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of slur for Arabic speakers

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slur

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Origin and Etymology of slur

slur

Definition of slur

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slur

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slur

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slur

Definition of slur for Students

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