SLIPPERY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Slippery

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/slˈɪpəri/ /slˈɪpri/ Listen

adjective

Slippery adj.

Having the quality opposite to adhesiveness; allowing or causing anything to slip or move smoothly, rapidly, and easily upon the surface; smooth; glib; as, oily substances render things slippery.

Not affording firm ground for confidence; as, a slippery promise. "The slippery tops of human state."

Not easily held; liable or apt to slip away. "The slippery god will try to loose his hold."

Liable to slip; not standing firm.

Unstable; changeable; mutable; uncertain; inconstant; fickle. "The slippery state of kings."

Uncertain in effect.

Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals.

Slippery elm. (Bot.)

(a)

An American tree (Ulmus fulva) with a mucilagenous and slightly aromatic inner bark which is sometimes used medicinally; also, the inner bark itself.

(b)

A malvaceous shrub (Fremontia Californica); so called on the Pacific coast.

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Etymology of 'Slippery'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Slippery" Quotes from Famous Books

... you've been perfectly foolish about hats this winter. This is a handwriting I don't know, but it's smart stationery—and, dear me, look at all these little cards. I really don't see how the postman bothers to see that they're all delivered; they're such little slippery things—more teas—and bridge." ...

— Out of the Ashes • Ethel Watts Mumford

... found! The good friend who did the part of Iris for us came bounding to me: "I have discovered the wife for you, Alvan." I had previously heard of her from another as having touched the islet of Capri. "But," said Kollin, "she is a gold-crested serpent—slippery!" Is she? That only tells me of a little more to be mastered. I feel my future now. Hitherto it has been a land without sunlight. Do you know how the look of sunlight on a land calms one? It signifies to the ...

— The Shaving of Shagpat • George Meredith

... noticed how black the sky was getting to be, or how the wind howled through the bare boughs of the trees. They had to go slowly, for the road was up hill all the way, and it was hard work for the poor pony. But he was a stout little fellow, and tugged away up the slippery track, and Violet and Emma talked and laughed, and never thought what was going to happen. Just half-way up the mountain there was a rocky cliff which overhung the road, and on this cliff grew an enormous hemlock tree. The branches were loaded with snow, which made them much ...

— What Katy Did Next • Susan Coolidge

... the rock by the "High Rock Congress Spring Company." This company was formed in 1866, and was inaugurated under favorable auspices and with brilliant prospects of success. But though founded on a rock, it was not successful in withstanding the storms. Whether the rock was too slippery, or the Spring rains too severe, or what was the slip-up, or rather slip-down, we do not presume to say, but the company failed, and the spring was sold at auction during the ...

— Saratoga and How to See It • R. F. Dearborn

... our office, my merry Leap the ladder," said Petit Andre, "we know you for a slippery ...

— Quentin Durward • Sir Walter Scott

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