slake

[ sleyk ]

verb (used with object)

, slaked, slak·ing.

1. to allay (thirst, desire, wrath, etc.) by satisfying.

   Synonyms: relieve, gratify, quench, satisfy

2. to cool or refresh:

   He slaked his lips with ice.

3. to make less active, vigorous, intense, etc.:

   His calm manner slaked their enthusiasm.

4. to cause disintegration of (lime) by treatment with water. Compare slaked lime.
5. to moisten; wet:

   To thicken the sauce, add a tablespoon of cornstarch slaked with a little cold water.

6. Obsolete. to make loose or less tense; slacken.

verb (used without object)

, slaked, slak·ing.

1. (of lime) to become slaked.
2. Archaic. to become less active, intense, vigorous, etc.; abate.

slake

/ sleɪk /

verb

1. literary.
   tr to satisfy (thirst, desire, etc)
2. poetic.
   tr to cool or refresh
3. Alsoslack to undergo or cause to undergo the process in which lime reacts with water or moist air to produce calcium hydroxide
4. archaic.
   to make or become less active or intense

Derived Forms

• ˈslakable, adjective
• ˈslaker, noun

Other Words From

• slak·a·ble slake·a·ble adjective
• slake·less adjective
• un·slak·a·ble adjective
• un·slake·a·ble adjective
• un·slaked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slake¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English slaken, slakken, slake “to loosen, lessen, mitigate, allay, moderate,” Old English slacian, slæcian, sleacian “to slacken, lessen one's efforts,” equivalent to slæc “inactive, careless, languid” + -ian causative verb suffix; slack ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of slake¹

Old English slacian, from slæc slack ¹; related to Dutch slaken to diminish, Icelandic slaka

Example Sentences

Other issues, like border policy and immigration, have slaked Congress’ demand for partisan point scoring, allowing tax writers to move ahead without too much partisan squabbling.

From Los Angeles Times

Paan, a betel nut leaf with slaked lime, rose petal jam and mouth fresheners like cardamom and cloves, has fascinated South Asians for centuries.

From BBC

Thousands of Tacomans, joined by rail fans from miles around, will slake their curiosity this weekend by exploring Sound Transit’s new Tacoma Link Hilltop Extension.

From Seattle Times

Krantz and his colleagues were keenly aware of the case of Owens Lake, about 300 miles to the north, whose tributaries had been diverted in 1913 to slake a thirsty and rapidly growing Los Angeles.

From Salon

Long before TLC rebranded from The Learning Channel to the home of Honey Boo-Boo and "Dr. Pimple Popper," Springer drained the human soul's pus before raving studio audiences to slake the guilty pleasure of millions.

From Salon

Related Words

• appease
• assuage
• quench