slough

The definition of a slough is the skin of a snake or a layer or covering that has been discarded.

(noun)

An example of slough is the skin of an onion that's been removed and thrown away.

Slough is defined as to shed or throw away.

(verb)

An example of slough is to exfoliate the skin on your body.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See slough in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the skin of a snake, esp. the outer layer that is periodically cast off
  2. any castoff layer, covering, etc.: often used figuratively
  3. Med. a mass of dead tissue in, or separating from, living tissue or an ulceration

Origin: ME slouh, akin to Ger schlauch, a skin, bag < IE base *sleu-, to glide, slip > Latvian sl'užât, to slide

intransitive verb

    1. to be shed, cast off, or discarded; come off
    2. to drop off; become fewer or less
  1. to shed skin or other covering
  2. Med. to separate from the surrounding tissue: said of dead tissue

Origin: < the n.

transitive verb

  1. to shed or throw (off) as or like slough; get rid of
  2. Bridge to get rid of (a card); discard

Related Forms:

noun

  1. a place, as a hollow, full of soft, deep mud
  2. Origin: after Slough of Despond, a deep swamp in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress

    deep, hopeless dejection or discouragement
  3. moral degradation
  4. a swamp, bog, or marsh, esp. one that is part of an inlet or backwater

Origin: ME slowe < OE sloh, akin to MLowG slōch, swamp < IE base *sklēk, wet > slack

Related Forms:

See slough in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A depression or hollow, usually filled with deep mud or mire.
  2. also slue A stagnant swamp, marsh, bog, or pond, especially as part of a bayou, inlet, or backwater.
  3. A state of deep despair or moral degradation.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English slōh

.

Related Forms:

  • sloughˈy adjective

noun
  1. The dead outer skin shed by a reptile or amphibian.
  2. Medicine A layer or mass of dead tissue separated from surrounding living tissue, as in a wound, sore, or inflammation.
  3. An outer layer or covering that is shed.
verb sloughed, slough·ing, sloughs
verb, intransitive
  1. To be cast off or shed; come off: The snake's skin sloughs off.
  2. To shed a slough.
  3. Medicine To separate from surrounding living tissue. Used of dead tissue.
verb, transitive
To discard as undesirable or unfavorable; get rid of: slough off former associates.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English slughe

.

A borough of southeast England, a residential and industrial suburb of London. Population: 126,000.

Learn more about slough

link/cite print suggestion box