slack

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

a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality; "the team went into a slump"; "a gradual slack in output"; "a drop-off in attendance"; "a falloff in quality"

a stretch of water without current or movement; "suddenly they were in a slack and the water was motionless"

a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

the quality of being loose (not taut); "he hadn't counted on the slackness of the rope"

a cord or rope or cable that is hanging loosely; "he took up the slack"

avoid responsibilities and work, be idle

be inattentive to, or neglect; "He slacks his attention"

release tension on; "slack the rope"

make less active or fast; "He slackened his pace as he got tired"; "Don't relax your efforts now"

become slow or slower; "Production slowed"

make less active or intense

become less in amount or intensity; "The storm abated"; "The rain let up after a few hours"

cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water; "slack lime"

not tense or taut; "the old man's skin hung loose and grey"; "slack and wrinkled skin"; "slack sails"; "a slack rope"

flowing with little speed as e.g. at the turning of the tide; "slack water"

lacking in rigor or strictness; "such lax and slipshod ways are no longer acceptable"; "lax in attending classes"; "slack in maintaining discipline"