Slavering - Sleight

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Slavering (?), a. Drooling; defiling with saliva. -- Slaveringly, adv.
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Slavery (?), n.; pl. Slaveries (#). [See 2d .] 1. The condition of a slave; the state of entire subjection of one person to the will of another.
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Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, slavery, said I, still thou art a bitter draught! Sterne.
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I wish, from my soul, that the legislature of this state [Virginia] could see the policy of a gradual abolition of slavery. It might prevent much future mischief. Washington.
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2. A condition of subjection or submission characterized by lack of freedom of action or of will.
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The vulgar slaveries rich men submit to. C. Lever.
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There is a slavery that no legislation can abolish, -- the slavery of caste. G. W. Cable.
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3. The holding of slaves.
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Syn. -- Bondage; servitude; inthrallment; enslavement; captivity; bond service; vassalage.
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Slavey (?), n. A maidservant. [Colloq. & Jocose Eng.]
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Slavic (?), a. Slavonic. -- n. The group of allied languages spoken by the Slavs.
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Slavish (?), a. Of or pertaining to slaves; such as becomes or befits a slave; servile; excessively laborious; as, a slavish life; a slavish dependance on the great. -- Slavishly, adv. -- Slavishness, n.
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Slavism (?), n. The common feeling and interest of the Slavonic race.
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Slavocracy (?), n. [Slave + -cracy, as in democracy.] The persons or interest formerly representing slavery politically, or wielding political power for the preservation or advancement of slavery. [U. S.]
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{ Slavonian (?), Slavonic (?), } a. 1. Of or pertaining to Slavonia, or its inhabitants.
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2. Of or pertaining to the Slavs, or their language.
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Slavonian, n. A native or inhabitant of Slavonia; ethnologically, a Slav.
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{ Slavophil (?), Slavophile (?), } n. [Slavic + Gr. ��� loving.] One, not being a Slav, who is interested in the development and prosperity of that race.
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Slaw (?), n. [D. sla, contr. fr. salade, OD. salaet, salad. See .] Sliced cabbage served as a salad, cooked or uncooked.
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{ Slaw, Slawen } (?), obs. p. p. of , to slay.
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With a sword drawn out he would have slaw himself. Wyclif (Acts xvi. 27.)
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Slay (?), v. t. [imp. Slew (?); p. p. Slain (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Slaying.] [OE. slan, sl�n, sleen, slee, AS. sleán to strike, beat, slay; akin to OFries. slā, D. slaan, OS. & OHG. slahan, G. schlagen, Icel. slā, Dan. slaae, Sw. sl�, Goth. slahan; perhaps akin to L. lacerare to tear to pieces, Gr. ����, E. lacerate. Cf. , a hammer, .] To put to death with a weapon, or by violence; hence, to kill; to put an end to; to destroy.
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With this sword then will I slay you both. Chaucer.
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I will slay the last of them with the sword. Amos ix. 1.
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I'll slay more gazers than the basilisk. Shak.
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Syn. -- To kill; murder; slaughter; butcher.
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Slayer (?), n. One who slays; a killer; a murderer; a destroyer of life.
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Slazy (slāz�), a. See .
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Sle (slē), v. t. To slay. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Sleave (slēv), n. [Cf. Dan. slöif, a knot loop, Sw. slejf, G. schleife a knot, sliding knot, and E. slip, v.i.] (a) The knotted or entangled part of silk or thread. (b) Silk not yet twisted; floss; -- called also sleave silk.
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Sleep that knits up the ravell'd sleave of care. Shak.
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Sleave, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleaved (slēvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Sleaving.] To separate, as threads; to divide, as a collection of threads; to sley; -- a weaver's term.
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Sleaved (slēvd), a. Raw; not spun or wrought; as, sleaved thread or silk. Holinshed.
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Sleaziness (?), n. Quality of being sleazy.
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Sleazy (slēz�), a. [Cf. G. schleissig worn out, threadbare, from schleissen to slit, split, decay, or E. leasy.] Wanting firmness of texture or substance; thin; flimsy; as, sleazy silk or muslin. [Spelt also slazy.]
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Sled (slĕd), n. [Akin to D. slede, G. schlitten, OHG. slito, Icel. sleði, Sw. släde, Dan. slæde, and E. slide, v. See , and cf. a vehicle, .] 1. A vehicle on runners, used for conveying loads over the snow or ice; -- in England called sledge.
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2. A small, light vehicle with runners, used, mostly by young persons, for sliding on snow or ice.
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Sled, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sledded; p. pr. & vb. n. Sledding.] To convey or transport on a sled; as, to sled wood or timber.
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Sledding (?), n. 1. The act of transporting or riding on a sled.
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2. The state of the snow which admits of the running of sleds; as, the sledding is good.
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Sledge (slĕj), n. [Perhaps from sleds, pl. of sled, confused with sledge a hammer. See , n.] 1. A strong vehicle with low runners or low wheels; or one without wheels or runners, made of plank slightly turned up at one end, used for transporting loads upon the snow, ice, or bare ground; a sled.
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2. A hurdle on which, formerly, traitors were drawn to the place of execution. [Eng.] Sir W. Scott.
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3. A sleigh. [Eng.]
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4. A game at cards; -- called also old sledge, and all fours.
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Sledge (slĕj), v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Sledged (slĕjd); p. pr. & vb. n. Sledging.] To travel or convey in a sledge or sledges. Howitt.
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Sledge, n. [AS. slecge,from sleán to strike, beat. See , v. t.] A large, heavy hammer, usually wielded with both hands; -- called also sledge hammer.
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With his heavy sledge he can it beat. Spenser.
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Slee (slē), v. t. [See .] To slay. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Sleek (slēk), a. [Compar. Sleeker (slēkẽr); superl. Sleekest.] [OE. slik; akin to Icel. slīkr, and OE. sliken to glide, slide, G. schleichen, OHG. slīhhan, D. slik, slijk, mud, slime, and E. slink. Cf. , .] 1. Having an even, smooth surface; smooth; hence, glossy; as, sleek hair. Chaucer.
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So sleek her skin, so faultless was her make. Dryden.
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2. Not rough or harsh.
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Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek. Milton.
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Sleek, adv. With ease and dexterity. [Low]
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Sleek, n. 1. That which makes smooth; varnish. [R.]
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2. A slick.
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Sleek, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleeked (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeking.] To make even and smooth; to render smooth, soft, and glossy; to smooth over.
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Sleeking her soft alluring locks. Milton.
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Gentle, my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks. Shak.
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Sleekly, adv. In a sleek manner; smoothly.
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Sleekness, n. The quality or state of being sleek; smoothness and glossiness of surface.
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Sleeky (?), a. 1. Of a sleek, or smooth, and glossy appearance. Thomson.
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2. Fawning and deceitful; sly. [Scot.]
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Sleep (?), obs. imp. of Sleep. Slept. Chaucer.
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Sleep, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Slept (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeping.] [OE. slepen, AS. sl�pan; akin to OFries. sl�pa, OS. slāpan, D. slapen, OHG. slāfan, G. schlafen, Goth. sl�pan, and G. schlaff slack, loose, and L. labi to glide, slide, labare to totter. Cf. .] 1. To take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind, and an apathy of the organs of sense; to slumber. Chaucer.
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Watching at the head of these that sleep. Milton.
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2. Figuratively: (a) To be careless, inattentive, or uncouncerned; not to be vigilant; to live thoughtlessly.
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We sleep over our happiness. Atterbury.
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(b) To be dead; to lie in the grave.
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Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 1 Thess. iv. 14.
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(c) To be, or appear to be, in repose; to be quiet; to be unemployed, unused, or unagitated; to rest; to lie dormant; as, a question sleeps for the present; the law sleeps.
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How sweet the moonlight sleep upon this bank! Shak.
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Sleep, v. t. 1. To be slumbering in; -- followed by a cognate object; as, to sleep a dreamless sleep. Tennyson.
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2. To give sleep to; to furnish with accomodations for sleeping; to lodge. [R.] Blackw. Mag.
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Coloq. To sleep away , to spend in sleep; as, to sleep away precious time. -- Coloq. To sleep off , to become free from by sleep; as, to sleep off drunkeness or fatigue.
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Sleep, n. [AS. slǣp; akin to OFries. slēp, OS. slāp, D. slaap, OHG. slāf, G. schlaf, Goth. slēps. See , v. i.] A natural and healthy, but temporary and periodical, suspension of the functions of the organs of sense, as well as of those of the voluntary and rational soul; that state of the animal in which there is a lessened acuteness of sensory perception, a confusion of ideas, and a loss of mental control, followed by a more or less unconscious state. “A man that waketh of his sleep.” Chaucer.
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O sleep, thou ape of death. Shak.
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☞ Sleep is attended by a relaxation of the muscles, and the absence of voluntary activity for any rational objects or purpose. The pulse is slower, the respiratory movements fewer in number but more profound, and there is less blood in the cerebral vessels. It is susceptible of greater or less intensity or completeness in its control of the powers.
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Coloq. Sleep of plants (Bot.), a state of plants, usually at night, when their leaflets approach each other, and the flowers close and droop, or are covered by the folded leaves.
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Syn. -- Slumber; repose; rest; nap; doze; drowse.
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Sleep-at-noon (?), n. (Bot.) A plant (Tragopogon pratensis) which closes its flowers at midday; a kind of goat's beard. Dr. Prior.
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Sleep-charged (?), a. Heavy with sleep.
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Sleeper (?), n. 1. One who sleeps; a slumberer; hence, a drone, or lazy person.
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2. That which lies dormant, as a law. [Obs.] Bacon.
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3. A sleeping car. [Colloq. U.S.]
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4. (Zoöl.) An animal that hibernates, as the bear.
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5. (Zoöl.) (a) A large fresh-water gobioid fish (Eleotris dormatrix). (b) A nurse shark. See under .
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Sleeper, n. [Cf. Norw. sleip a sleeper (a timber), as adj., slippery, smooth. See .] Something lying in a reclining posture or position. Specifically: --
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(a) One of the pieces of timber, stone, or iron, on or near the level of the ground, for the support of some superstructure, to steady framework, to keep in place the rails of a railway, etc.; a stringpiece.
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(b) One of the joists, or roughly shaped timbers, laid directly upon the ground, to receive the flooring of the ground story. [U.S.]
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(c) (Naut.) One of the knees which connect the transoms to the after timbers on the ship's quarter.
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(d) (Naut.) The lowest, or bottom, tier of casks.
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Sleepful (?), a. Strongly inclined to sleep; very sleepy. -- Sleepfulness, n.
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Sleepily (?), adv. In a sleepy manner; drowsily.
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Sleepiness, n. The quality or state of being sleepy.
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Sleeping, a. & n. from .
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Coloq. Sleeping car , a railway car or carrriage, arranged with apartments and berths for sleeping. -- Coloq. Sleeping partner (Com.), a dormant partner. See under . -- Coloq. Sleeping table (Mining), a stationary inclined platform on which pulverized ore is washed; a kind of buddle.
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Sleepish (?), a. Disposed to sleep; sleepy; drowsy.
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Your sleepish, and more than sleepish, security. Ford.
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Sleepless, a. 1. Having no sleep; wakeful.
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2. Having no rest; perpetually agitated. “Biscay's sleepless bay.” Byron.
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-- Sleeplessly, adv. -- Sleeplessness, n.
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Sleepmarken (?), n. (Zoöl.) See 1st , 4.
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Sleepwaker (?), n. On in a state of magnetic or mesmeric sleep.
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Sleepwaking, n. The state of one mesmerized, or in a partial and morbid sleep.
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Sleepwalker (?), n. One who walks in his sleep; a somnambulist.
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Sleepwalking, n. Walking in one's sleep.
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Sleepy (?), a. [Compar. Sleepier (?); superl. Sleepiest.] [AS. sl�pig. See , n.] 1. Drowsy; inclined to, or overcome by, sleep. Shak.
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She waked her sleepy crew. Dryden.
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2. Tending to induce sleep; soporiferous; somniferous; as, a sleepy drink or potion. Chaucer.
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3. Dull; lazy; heavy; sluggish. Shak.
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'Tis not sleepy business;
But must be looked to speedily and strongly. Shak.
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4. Characterized by an absence of watchfulness; as, sleepy security.
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Coloq. Sleepy duck (Zoöl.), the ruddy duck.
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Sleepyhead (?), n. 1. A sleepy person.
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To bed, to bed, says Sleepyhead. Mother Goose.
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2. (Zoöl.) The ruddy duck.
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Sleer (?), n. A slayer. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Sleet (?), n. (Gun.) The part of a mortar extending from the chamber to the trunnions.
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Sleet, n. [OE. sleet; akin to MHG. sl�z, sl�ze hailstone, G. schlosse; of uncertain origin.] Hail or snow, mingled with rain, usually falling, or driven by the wind, in fine particles.
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Sleet, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sleeted; p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeting.] To snow or hail with a mixture of rain.
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Sleetch (?), n. [Cf. , .] Mud or slime, such as that at the bottom of rivers. [Scot.]
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Sleetiness (?), n. The state of being sleety.
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Sleety (?), a. Of or pertaining to sleet; characterized by sleet; as, a sleety storm; sleety weather.
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Sleeve (slēv), n. See , untwisted thread.
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Sleeve, n. [OE. sleeve, sleve, AS. sl�fe, sl�fe; akin to sl�fan to put on, to clothe; cf. OD. sloove the turning up of anything, sloven to turn up one's sleeves, sleve a sleeve, G. schlaube a husk, pod.] 1. The part of a garment which covers the arm; as, the sleeve of a coat or a gown. Chaucer.
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2. A narrow channel of water. [R.]
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The Celtic Sea, called oftentimes the Sleeve. Drayton.
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3. (Mach.) (a) A tubular part made to cover, sustain, or steady another part, or to form a connection between two parts. (b) A long bushing or thimble, as in the nave of a wheel. (c) A short piece of pipe used for covering a joint, or forming a joint between the ends of two other pipes.
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4. (Elec.) A double tube of copper, in section like the figure 8, into which the ends of bare wires are pushed so that when the tube is twisted an electrical connection is made. The joint thus made is called Coloq. a McIntire joint .
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Coloq. Sleeve button , a detachable button to fasten the wristband or cuff. -- Coloq. Sleeve links , two bars or buttons linked together, and used to fasten a cuff or wristband. -- Coloq. To laugh in the sleeve or Coloq. To laugh up one's sleeve to laugh privately or unperceived, especially while apparently preserving a grave or serious demeanor toward the person or persons laughed at; that is, perhaps, originally, by hiding the face in the wide sleeves of former times. -- Coloq. To pinon the sleeve of , or Coloq. To hang on the sleeve of , to be, or make, dependent upon.
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Sleeve, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleeved (slēvd); p. pr. & vb. n. Sleeving.] To furnish with sleeves; to put sleeves into; as, to sleeve a coat.
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Sleeved (slēvd), a. Having sleeves; furnished with sleeves; -- often in composition; as, long-sleeved.
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Sleevefish (slēvfĭsh), n. (Zoöl.) A squid.
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Sleevehand (?), n. The part of a sleeve nearest the hand; a cuff or wristband. [Obs.] Shak.
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Sleeveless, a. [AS. slēfleás.] 1. Having no sleeves.
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2. Wanting a cover, pretext, or palliation; unreasonable; profitless; bootless; useless. [Obs.] Shak.
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The vexation of a sleeveless errand. Bp. Warburton.
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Sleid (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sleided; p. pr. & vb. n. Sleiding.] [See .] To sley, or prepare for use in the weaver's sley, or slaie. Shak.
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Sleigh (?), a. Sly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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Sleigh (?), n. [Cf. D. & LG. slede, slee, Icel. sle�i. See .] A vehicle moved on runners, and used for transporting persons or goods on snow or ice; -- in England commonly called a sledge.
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Coloq. Sleigh bell , a small bell attached either to a horse when drawing a slegh, or to the sleigh itself; especially a globular bell with a loose ball which plays inside instead of a clapper.
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Sleighing, n. 1. The act of riding in a sleigh.
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2. The state of the snow or ice which admits of running sleighs.
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Sleight (?), n. [OE. sleighte, sleihte, sleithe, Icel. sl�g� (for sl�g�) slyness, cunning, fr. sl�gr (for sl�gr) sly, cunning. See .] 1. Cunning; craft; artful practice. [Obs.] “His sleight and his covin.” Chaucer.
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2. An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterous that the manner of performance escapes observation.
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The world hath many subtle sleights. Latimer.
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3. Dexterous practice; dexterity; skill. Chaucer. “The juggler's sleight.” Hudibras.
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Coloq. Sleight of hand , legerdemain; prestidigitation.
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