Dictionary: SLEAV-ING – SLEEP-ING

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SLEAV-ING, ppr.

Separating threads.

SLEAZ-Y, or SLEEZ-Y, a. [Probably from the root of loose; Sax. lysan, alysan, to loose.]

Thin; flimsy; wanting firmness of texture or substance; as, sleezy silk or muslin.

SLED, n. [D. sleede; G. schlitten; Sw. släde; Dan. slæde; W. ysled; probably from sliding or drawing.]

A carriage or vehicle moved on runners, much used in America for conveying heavy weights in winter, as timber, wood, stone, and the like.

SLED, v.t.

To convey or transport on a sled; as, to sled wood or timber.

SLED'DED, pp.

  1. Conveyed on a sled.
  2. Mounted on a sled. – Shak.

SLED'DING, n.

  1. The act of transporting on a sled.
  2. The means of conveying on sleds; snow sufficient for the running of sleds. Thus we say in America, when there is snow sufficient to run a sled, it is good sledding; the sledding is good. Sometimes in New England, there is little or no good sledding during the winter.

SLED'DING, ppr.

Conveying on a sled.

SLEDGE, n. [Sax. slecge, slege; D. sley; Dan. slegge; Sw. slägga; from the root of slay, to strike.]

  1. A large, heavy hammer; used chiefly by ironsmiths.
  2. In England, a sled; a vehicle moved on runners or on low wheels. In this sense, the word is not used in America; but the same word is used in a somewhat different sense, and written sleigh.

SLEEK, a. [D. lekken, to leak, to smooth, or sleek; gelekt, made smooth; G. schlicht; allied to lick, or G. gleich, even, equal, like. See Like.]

  1. Smooth; having an even, smooth surface; whence, glossy; as, sleek hair. So sleek her skin, so faultless was her make. – Dryden.
  2. Not rough or harsh. Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek. – Milton.

SLEEK, adv.

With ease and dexterity; with exactness. [Vulgar.]

SLEEK, n.

That which makes smooth; varnish. [Little used.]

SLEEK, v.t.

  1. To make even and smooth; as, to sleek the hair. – B. Jonson.
  2. To render smooth, soft, and glossy. Gentle, my lord, sleek o'er your rugged looks. Shak.

SLEEK-LY, adv.

Smoothly; nicely.

SLEEK-NESS, n.

Smoothness of surface. – Feltham.

SLEEK-STONE, n.

A smoothing stone. – Peacham.

SLEEK-Y, a.

Of a sleek or smooth appearance. [Not in use.] – Thomson.

SLEEP, n.

A natural and healthy, but temporary and periodical suspension of the functions of the hemispheres of the cerebrum, or in other words of the intellectual powers. Sleep may be complete or incomplete. That state of an animal in which the voluntary exertion of his mental and corporeal powers is suspended, and he rests unconscious of what passes around him, and not affected by the ordinary impressions of external objects. Sleep is generally attended with a relaxation of the muscles, but the involuntary motions, as respiration and the circulation of the blood, are continued. The mind is often very active in imperfect sleep, but its powers not being under the control of reason, its exercises are very irregular. Sleep is the natural rest or repose intended by the Creator to restore the powers of the body and mind, when exhausted or fatigued. Sleep of plants, a state of plants at night, when their leaves droop or are folded. – Linnæus.

SLEEP, v.i. [pret. and pp. slept. Sax. slepan, slæpan; Goth. slepan; G. schlafen; D. slaapen. This word seems to be allied to words which signify to rest or to relax; G. schlaff.]

  1. To take rest by a suspension of the voluntary exercise of the powers of the body and mind. The proper time to sleep is during the darkness of night.
  2. To rest; to be unemployed; to be inactive or motionless; as, the sword sleeps in its sheath.
  3. To rest; to lie or be still; not to be noticed or agitated. The question sleeps for the present.
  4. To live thoughtlessly. We sleep over our happiness. – Atterbury.
  5. To be dead; to rest in the grave for a time. – 1 Thess. iv.
  6. To be careless, inattentive, or unconcerned; not to be vigilant. – Shak.

SLEEP-CHARG-ED, a.

Heavy with sleep. – Lamb.

SLEEP-ER, n.

  1. A person that sleeps; also, a drone or lazy person. – Grew.
  2. That which lies dormant, as a law not executed. [Not in use.] – Bacon.
  3. An animal that lies dormant in winter, as the bear, the marmot, &c. – Encyc.
  4. In bleeding, the oblique rafter that lies in a gutter. – Encyc.
  5. In New England, a floor timber.
  6. In shipbuilding, a thick piece of timber placed longitudinally in a ship's hold, opposite the several scarfs of the timbers, for strengthening the bows and stern-frame, particularly in the Greenland ships; or a piece of long compass-timber fayed and bolted diagonally upon the transoms. – Mar. Dict. Encyc.
  7. In the glass trade, a large iron bar crossing the smaller ones, hindering the passage of coals, but leaving room for the ashes. – Encyc.
  8. A platform.
  9. A fish, Exocœtus. – Ainsworth.

SLEEP-FUL, a.

Strongly inclined to sleep. [Little used.]

SLEEP-FUL-NESS, n.

Strong inclination to sleep. [Little used.]

SLEEP-I-LY, adv.

  1. Drowsily; with desire to sleep.
  2. Dully; in a lazy manner; heavily. – Ralegh.
  3. Stupidly. – Atterbury.

SLEEP-I-NESS, n.

Drowsiness; inclination to sleep. – Arbuthnot.

SLEEP-ING, n.

  1. The state of resting in sleep.
  2. The state of being at rest, or not stirred or agitated. – Shak.
  3. adj. Occupied with sleep; as, sleeping hours.