slack

(noun) dust consisting of a mixture of small coal fragments and coal dust and dirt that sifts out when coal is passed over a sieve.

(noun) a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality. Synonyms: slump, drop-off, falloff, falling off. Examples: "The team went into a slump." "A gradual slack in output." "A drop-off in attendance." "A falloff in quality."

(noun) a stretch of water without current or movement. Synonyms: slack water. Example: "Suddenly they were in a slack and the water was motionless."

(noun) a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot. Synonyms: mire, quagmire, quag, morass.

(noun) the quality of being loose (not taut). Synonyms: slackness. Example: "He hadn't counted on the slackness of the rope."

(noun) a cord or rope or cable that is hanging loosely. Example: "He took up the slack."

(verb) avoid responsibilities and work, be idle.

(verb) be inattentive to, or neglect. Example: "He slacks his attention."

(verb) release tension on. Example: "Slack the rope."

(verb) make less active or fast. Synonyms: slacken, slack up, relax. Examples: "He slackened his pace as he got tired." "Don't relax your efforts now."

(verb) become slow or slower. Synonyms: slow, slow down, slow up, slacken. Example: "Production slowed."

(verb) make less active or intense. Synonyms: slake, abate.

(verb) become less in amount or intensity. Synonyms: abate, let up, slack off, die away. Examples: "The storm abated." "The rain let up after a few hours."

(verb) cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water. Synonyms: slake. Example: "Slack lime."

(adj) not tense or taut. Synonyms: loose. Examples: "The old man's skin hung loose and grey." "Slack and wrinkled skin." "Slack sails." "A slack rope."

(adj) flowing with little speed as e.g. at the turning of the tide. Example: "Slack water."

(adj) lacking in rigor or strictness. Synonyms: lax. Examples: "Such lax and slipshod ways are no longer acceptable." "Lax in attending classes." "Slack in maintaining discipline."