slacken

Everyday

1. To make something less tight, or to become less tight: slacken a rope. tree →
2. To become slower, weaker or less busy: the pace slackened, the rain slackened. tree →

In the lessons

An action word in boating, sailing and climbing (slacken the rope, slacken the sail) and in describing change (the wind slackened, the traffic slackened). In The Wind in the Willows, when Rat stops rowing, the boat's pace slackens and they drift. Safety: never slacken a safety rope someone is relying on.

Examples

• Slacken the rope a little so the knot comes undone. tree →
• The rain slackened and we went out to play. tree →
• Near the finish line, the runner did not slacken his pace. tree →
• The sail slackened when the wind dropped. tree →
• Traffic slackens after rush hour. tree →
• Don't slacken your effort before the test. tree →
• At length the horse slackened its pace. ‘Look and see who is behind you,’ it said; and the young man looked. tree →

Note

Regular verb: slackened, slackening. From «slack» (loose). Opposite: tighten, quicken. «Slack off» is informal for working less hard.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Second Kings a woman from Shunem tells her servant to ride fast to find the prophet Elisha. It shows how urgent her need was. In the primary lessons: An action word in boating, sailing and climbing (slacken the rope, slacken the sail) and in describing change (the wind slackened, the traffic slackened). In The Wind in the Willows, when Rat stops rowing, the boat's pace slackens and they drift. Safety: never slacken a safety rope someone is relying on.

Examples

• Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant: 'Drive, and go forward; slacken me not the riding, except I bid thee.' (Prophets 2KI.4.24, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: slackened, slackening. From «slack» (loose). Opposite: tighten, quicken. «Slack off» is informal for working less hard.