The Collaborative International Dictionary
Slack \Slack\, a. [Compar. Slacker; superl. Slackest.] [OE. slak, AS. sleac; akin to OS. slak, OHG. slah, Prov. G. schlack, Icel. slakr, Sw. slak; cf. Skr. s[.r]j to let loose, to throw. Cf. Slake.] Lax; not tense; not hard drawn; not firmly extended; as, a slack rope.
2. Weak; not holding fast; as, a slack hand.
--Milton.
3. Remiss; backward; not using due diligence or care; not earnest or eager; as, slack in duty or service.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as
some men count slackness.
--2 Pet. iii.
9.
4. Not violent, rapid, or pressing; slow; moderate; easy; as,
business is slack. ``With slack pace.''
--Chaucer.
C?sar . . . about sunset, hoisting sail with a slack
southwest, at midnight was becalmed.
--Milton.
Slack in stays (Naut.), slow in going about, as a ship.
Slack water, the time when the tide runs slowly, or the water is at rest; or the interval between the flux and reflux of the tide.
Slack-water navigation, navigation in a stream the depth of which has been increased, and the current diminished, by a dam or dams.
Syn: Loose; relaxed; weak; remiss; backward; abated; diminished; inactive; slow; tardy; dull.
Usage examples of "slack in stays".
The hostility between the two ships increased, and it was made evident on all possible occasions by cries of 'What ho, the molly-ship' if there was time, or 'The pouffes ahoy,' and if there was not, on the part of the Thames, and of 'Slack in stays,' or 'Make more sail, there,' from the Stately.