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.
WordNet
n. the occurrence of relatively still water at the turn of the (low) tide [syn: slack tide]
Wikipedia
"Slack Water" is the tenth episode of the American television police procedural fantasy drama Awake, which originally aired on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) on May 3, 2012. Written by Noelle Valdivia and directed by Nick Gomez, "Slack Water" was watched by 2.15 million viewers, including 0.7 percent of those aged between 18 and 49 in Nielsen ratings, upon its initial broadcast in the United States. Critics were largely positive in their reviews of the installment.
Awake centers on Michael Britten ( Jason Isaacs), a detective living in two separate realities after a car accident. In one reality, in which he wears a red wristband, his wife Hannah ( Laura Allen) survived the accident, and in another reality, in which he wears a green wristband, his son Rex ( Dylan Minnette) survived. In this episode, Michael and Isaiah "Bird" Freeman ( Steve Harris) are investigating what seems to be a case of gang violence. However, the clues shown to Michael in another reality suggests something deeper. Meanwhile, Hannah is trying to talk through a tough situation with Rex's girlfriend Emma ( Daniela Bobadilla).
Some commentators praised the storylines of the "red reality", but criticized the arcs of the "green reality". Laura Innes' guest performance as Tricia Harper was also critically acclaimed. This episode marked the second absence of Rex, as well as the show's two therapists: Dr. Jonathan Lee ( BD Wong) and Dr. Judith Evans ( Cherry Jones). It was filmed in Los Angeles, California, while sixteen guest actors starred in this episode.
Usage examples of "slack water".
Before making the final effort, Dorian waited until slack water was at the bottom of the ebb.
After five days the slack water in number one hold had swelled the grain and she had been split open by its pressure.
Then he cleared the lip and lowered the heavy cable into the slack water three feet below, watching it cleave back towards the base.
At that time in the afternoon it was dead slack water and there was only the gentlest of swells running up from the south-west.
At dead slack water the valves were opened at a very carefully selected spot in the Beul nan Uamh and down they went, all five of them, gurgle, gurgle, gurgle.
And shortly thereafter Madog stood before them, saying practically that there was a possible storm brewing, and they had better either make up their minds to stay where they were, or else get aboard at once and make their way briskly down with what current there was in this slack water, back to Shrewsbury.
Once in the slot, they were able to float the wrapped body, buoyed by the drysack, across the stretches of slack water.
He had planned to start off just before the top of the tide and carry the ebb all the way, resting to eat his bread and cheese at slack water, and start back with the first of the flood.
Port side's clear for the powder hulk to come alongside - slack water in half an hour, sir.
Port side's clear for the powder hulk to come alongside slack water in half an hour, sir.
One could not go through at slack water on the oars, for the way was too narrow.