slew

verb (slew, slews, slewed, slewing); noun (a slew of, slews); also the past form of «slay» (slay, slays, slew, slain)

«slew» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

A slew of things is a large number or amount of them (informal). tree →
To slew is to turn or slide sideways suddenly and out of control, like a car on ice. tree →
Slew is the old past form of «slay»: the knight slew the dragon means he killed it (old-fashioned, stories). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk and news «a slew of» means «lots of»: a slew of emails, a slew of new games. In stories about cars, boats or bikes «slewed» shows a sudden skid that tells the reader something dangerous is happening. In fairy tales and the Bible-style stories «slew» is the past of «slay» (David slew Goliath). Phrases: a slew of, slew round, slewed across the road.

Examples

The teacher got a slew of questions after the fire drill. tree →
There is a whole slew of new books in the library. tree →
The car slewed across the icy road and stopped in the ditch. tree →
My bike slewed sideways on the wet leaves. tree →
The boat slewed round in the strong wind. tree →
In the story, the brave prince slew the dragon. tree →
Christians read that young David slew the giant Goliath with a stone. tree →
After the storm we had a slew of broken branches in the garden. tree →
Warriors with long knives rushed forth and slew the camp-eater. tree →

Note

«A slew of» is informal and is followed by a plural noun (a slew of problems). «Slew» (killed) is only in old stories; today we say «killed». Do not confuse with «slough» or «slue» (an American spelling of the turning sense). In maths problems «a slew of» means «many» but gives no exact number.

In Jewish tradition

Examples

And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male. (Torah NUM.31.7, JPS 1917) tree →
And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. (Torah GEN.38.7, JPS 1917) tree →
So Aaron drew near unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin-offering, which was for himself. (Torah LEV.9.8, JPS 1917) tree →
Who smote many nations, and slew mighty kings: (Writings PSA.135.10, JPS 1917) tree →
He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish. (Writings PSA.105.29, JPS 1917) tree →
And slew mighty kings, for His mercy endureth for ever. (Writings PSA.136.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Early Modern English

Meaning

Killed, put to death, in the past. tree →

Then and now

Old past form of slay; today we say killed. The word slew now mostly means a large number (informal) or turning round.

Examples

And they warred against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew every male. (Torah NUM.31.7, JPS 1917) tree →
Warriors with long knives rushed forth and slew the camp-eater. (Old Indian Legends) tree →
And Er, Judah's first-born, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. (Torah GEN.38.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: killed.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «slew» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«slew» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «slew» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«slew» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «slew» in the Early Modern English dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«slew» in the Early Modern English dictionary on Mova free.

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