slough
slough1 definition
slough (sluf)
noun
- the skin of a snake, esp. the outer layer that is periodically cast off
- any castoff layer, covering, etc.: often used figuratively
- Med. a mass of dead tissue in, or separating from, living tissue or an ulceration
Etymology: ME slouh, akin to Ger schlauch, a skin, bag < IE base *sleu-, to glide, slip > Latvian sl'užât, to slide
intransitive verb
- to be shed, cast off, or discarded; come off
- to drop off; become fewer or less
- to shed skin or other covering
- Med. to separate from the surrounding tissue: said of dead tissue
Etymology: < the n.
transitive verb
- to shed or throw (off) as or like slough; get rid of
- Bridge to get rid of (a card); discard
Related Forms:
- sloughy slough′y adjective
slough Idioms
slough over
to gloss over; minimize
slough2 definition
slough (slo̵u; for 4 slo̵̅o̅)
noun
- a place, as a hollow, full of soft, deep mud
Etymology: after Slough of Despond, a deep swamp in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
deep, hopeless dejection or discouragement- moral degradation
- a swamp, bog, or marsh, esp. one that is part of an inlet or backwater
Etymology: ME slowe < OE sloh, akin to MLowG slōch, swamp < IE base *sklēk, wet > slack
Related Forms:
- sloughy slough′y adjective
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