slice

[ slahys ]

noun

1. a thin, flat piece cut from something:

   a slice of bread.

2. a part, portion, or share:

   a slice of land.

3. any of various implements with a thin, broad blade or part, as for turning food in a frying pan, serving fish at the table, or taking up printing ink; spatula.
4. Sports.
   1. the path described by a ball, as in baseball or golf, that curves in a direction corresponding to the side from which it was struck.
   2. a ball describing such a path.
5. Tennis. a stroke executed by hitting down on the ball with an underhand motion and thus creating backspin.

verb (used with object)

, sliced, slic·ing.

1. to cut into slices; divide into parts.
2. to cut through or cleave with or as if with a knife:

   The ship sliced the sea.

3. to cut off or remove as a slice or slices (sometimes followed by off, away, from, etc.).
4. to remove by means of a slice, slice bar, or similar implement.
5. Sports. to hit (a ball) so as to result in a slice.

verb (used without object)

, sliced, slic·ing.

1. to slice something.
2. to admit of being sliced.
3. Sports.
   1. (of a player) to slice the ball.
   2. (of a ball) to describe a slice in flight.

slice

/ slaɪs /

noun

1. a thin flat piece cut from something having bulk

   a slice of pork

2. a share or portion

   a slice of the company's revenue

3. any of various utensils having a broad flat blade and resembling a spatula
4. in golf, tennis, etc
   1. the flight of a ball that travels obliquely because it has been struck off centre
   2. the action of hitting such a shot
   3. the shot so hit

verb

1. to divide or cut (something) into parts or slices
2. whenintr, usually foll by through to cut in a clean and effortless manner
3. whenintr, foll by through to move or go (through something) like a knife

   the ship sliced through the water

4. usually foll byoff, from, away, etc to cut or be cut (from) a larger piece
5. tr to remove by use of a slicing implement
6. to hit (a ball) with a slice
7. tr rowing to put the blade of the oar into (the water) slantwise

Derived Forms

• ˈsliceable, adjective
• ˈslicer, noun

Other Words From

• slicea·ble adjective
• slicing·ly adverb
• pre·slice verb (used with object) presliced preslicing
• un·sliced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of slice¹

1300–50; (noun) Middle English s ( c ) lice < Old French esclice, noun derivative of esclicer to split up < Frankish *slitjan, akin to Old English slītan, Old Norse slīta, Dutch slījten ( slit ); (v.) late Middle English sklicen < Old French esclicer

Word History and Origins

Origin of slice¹

C14: from Old French esclice a piece split off, from esclicier to splinter

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the subsequent idiom beginning with slice , also see greatest thing since sliced bread ; no matter how you slice it .

Example Sentences

He picked one off the ground and cut off a slice to reveal the inside: dry and dull green.

From Los Angeles Times

Left, sliced log slabs make decorative plates and platters.

From Los Angeles Times

While he always saved room for a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie, when it came to dessert, the flavor for which he was most thankful was chocolate.

From Salon

"That premise felt almost like a slice of life itself."

From BBC

"I hope it is now a tradition. I want to try to get a slice of the old one. It's a piece of history now."

From BBC

Related Words

• portion
• sliver
• wedge