'Slack in stays' definitions:

Definition of 'Slack in stays'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Weak; not holding fast; as, a slack hand. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Remiss; backward; not using due diligence or care; not earnest or eager; as, slack in duty or service. [1913 Webster]
  • The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness. --2 Pet. iii. 9. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Not violent, rapid, or pressing; slow; moderate; easy; as, business is slack. "With slack pace." --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • C?sar . . . about sunset, hoisting sail with a slack southwest, at midnight was becalmed. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Loose; relaxed; weak; remiss; backward; abated; diminished; inactive; slow; tardy; dull. [1913 Webster]