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

The other leaves specialize in absorbing water, to slake a tree’s thirst.

From Science News For Students

A Long Island pioneer winery brings us a top-notch crisp and juicy rosé to slake our thirst and cut through the summer’s heat.

From Washington Post

Using them, nest fronds can share their water, slaking the thirst of neighboring strap fronds.

From Science News For Students

Previous research by other scientists found networks of roots running throughout the colony, which means that nest fronds have the ability to slake strap fronds’ thirst.

From Science News

There’s also a page of wineries that will send us wines and schedule online virtual tastings to slake our thirst and whet our appetites for when we can get there in person.

From Washington Post

The fevered mules plunged in headlong and drank greedily; the riders were perforce obliged to slake their thirst after them.

From Project Gutenberg

An old gray-headed man tottered forward to slake his burning thirst.

From Project Gutenberg

In good sooth ye do,” cried Biarne, with a laugh; “a mouse could hardly slake his thirst with all that you have yet imbibed.

From Project Gutenberg

Would I be the tiger, blind with desire of blood leaping at the wild-deer's throat, to slake a cruel thirst?

From Project Gutenberg

The sun was excessively hot, and at every rivulet that I crossed I stopped to slake my thirst.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appease
• assuage
• quench