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slide definition

slide (slīd)

intransitive verb slid (slid), sliding slid′·ing

  1. to move along in constant frictional contact with some surface or substance windows that slide open
  2. to move in this manner on a sled, the feet, etc. in contact with a smooth surface, esp. snow or ice
  3. to move quietly and smoothly; glide
  4. to move stealthily or unobtrusively
  5. to shift from a position; slip the wet cup slid from his hand
  6. to pass gradually (into or out of some condition) to slide into bad habits
  7. Baseball to drop down and slide along the ground toward a base to avoid being tagged out by the baseman

Etymology: ME sliden < OE slidan < IE *(s)leidh-, slippery < base *(s)lei-, slimy, slippery > lime, slick, slime

transitive verb

  1. to cause to slide; make move with a smooth, gliding motion
  2. to move, place, or slip quietly, deftly, or stealthily (in or into)

noun

  1. an act of sliding
  2. a smooth, usually inclined track, surface, or chute down which to slide, as on a playground
  3. something that works by sliding; part that slides or is slid on
  4. a photographic transparency mounted for use with a viewer or projector
  5. a small glass plate used as a mounting for objects to be examined under a microscope
    1. the fall of a mass of rock, snow, earth, etc. down a slope
    2. ☆ the mass that falls
  6. Music
    1. portamento
    2. an ornament made up of two or more notes ascending or descending to a principal note
    3. a -shaped section of tubing which is moved to change the pitch of certain brass instruments, esp. the trombone

adjective

slide Idioms

let slide

to fail to take some expected or required action on; allow to drift along

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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