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slur definition

slur (slʉr)

transitive verb slurred, slurring slur′·ring

  1. to pass over quickly and carelessly; make little of: often with over
  2. to pronounce rapidly and indistinctly, as by combining or dropping sounds
  3. Dialectal to stain, smirch, or sully
  4. to blur or smear, as in printing
  5. to disparage or discredit; cast aspersions on
  6. Music
    1. to sing or play (different and successive notes) by gliding from one to another without a break
    2. to mark (notes) with a slur

Etymology: prob. < MDu sleuren, to drag, move slowly, trail in mud: for IE base see slug

noun

  1. the act or process of slurring
  2. something slurred, as a pronunciation
  3. a blot, stain, or smear
  4. any remark or action that harms or is meant to harm someone's reputation; aspersion, reproach, stigma, etc.
  5. Music
    1. a curved line written above or below two or more successive notes of different pitch that are to be sounded without a noticeable break
    2. a group of such notes

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