slush

[ sluhsh ]

noun

1. partly melted snow.
2. liquid mud; watery mire.
3. waste, as fat, grease, or other refuse, from the galley of a ship.
4. a mixture of grease and other materials for lubricating.
5. silly, sentimental, or weakly emotional talk or writing:

   romantic slush.

6. slush pile.

verb (used with object)

1. to splash with slush.
2. to grease, polish, or cover with slush.
3. to fill or cover with mortar or cement.
4. to wash with a large quantity of water, as by dashing it on.

slush

/ slʌʃ /

noun

1. any watery muddy substance, esp melting snow
2. informal.
   sloppily sentimental language
3. nautical waste fat from the galley of a ship

verb

1. introften foll byalong to make one's way through or as if through slush
2. intr to make a slushing sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of slush¹

1635–45; apparently cognate with Norwegian slusk slops, Swedish slask mud, slops

Word History and Origins

Origin of slush¹

C17: related to Danish slus sleet, Norwegian slusk slops; see sludge , slosh

Example Sentences

Then came the revelations of the slush funds scandal, with dozens of LDP lawmakers accused of pocketing proceeds from political fundraising events.

From BBC

Or how conservatives perennially push to defund or undercut services for the disabled, such as when former mayor Rudy Giuliani tapped New York City’s Office for People with Disabilities, as a slush fund to cover unauthorized travel expenses.

From Salon

It was rescued from the slush pile.

From Salon

The county has sued the foundation, accusing it of using the Fire Department’s logo and lifesaving work to collect donations and then operating a personal “slush fund.”

From Los Angeles Times

The department said the payments were funded by a slush fund the executives created by inflating the cost of the voting machines.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• mud