slough
English Meaning & Definitions
To shed or cast off (typically skin, hair, or a layer of dead tissue).
- “The snake began to slough its old skin as it grew.”
- “The wound started to slough off dead tissue during the healing process.”
A swamp, bog, or a state of deep despair or helplessness.
- “The hikers struggled to cross the muddy slough in the middle of the forest.”
- “After the failure of his business, he fell into a deep slough of despondency.”
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “slough”.
The word has two distinct origins. The sense of 'shedding skin' (slough) comes from Middle English 'slughe,' likely of Germanic origin related to Middle Low German 'slughe' (skin of a snake). The sense of 'a swamp or mire' (slough) comes from Old English 'slōh,' a word of uncertain origin, possibly Celtic, referring to a deep, muddy place.
Think of a snake 'sloughing' off its skin like a 'slow' process.
Frequently Asked Questions About “slough”
1. What is the meaning of “slough” in English?
In English, slough (verb) is defined as: “To shed or cast off (typically skin, hair, or a layer of dead tissue).”.
2. How do you use “slough” in a sentence?
“The snake began to slough its old skin as it grew.”
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “slough”?
The word has two distinct origins. The sense of 'shedding skin' (slough) comes from Middle English 'slughe,' likely of Germanic origin related to Middle Low German 'slughe' (skin of a snake). The sense of 'a swamp or mire' (slough) comes from Old English 'slōh,' a word of uncertain origin, possibly Celtic, referring to a deep, muddy place.
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