† slakenv.
Obsolete.
1. intransitive. To grow slack; to abate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > decrease in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (intransitive)]
littleOE
setc1000
wanzec1175
lessc1225
allayc1275
wane1297
slaken1303
disincreasec1374
slakec1380
decrease1382
debatea1400
unwaxa1400
wastea1400
adminishc1400
lessenc1400
imminish14..
aslakec1405
minish?a1425
assuagec1430
shrinkc1449
to let down1486
decay1489
diminish1520
fall1523
rebate1540
batea1542
to come down1548
abate1560
stoop1572
pine1580
slack1580
scanten1585
shrivel1588
decrew1596
remit1629
contract1648
subside1680
lower1697
relax1701
drop1730
to take off1776
to run down1792
reduce1798
recede1810
to run off1816
to go down1823
attenuatea1834
ease1876
downscale1945
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 5993 Here synne shal noþer be forȝyuen ne slakyn Vn-to þey ȝelde þat þey haue takyn.
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 9473 When he was ded, his side gan slaken; Lightly was þen þe castel taken.
a1352 L. Minot Poems ix. 49 Þe pride of sir Dauid bigon fast to slaken.
1633 T. James Strange Voy. 103 The Storme began to slaken.
1675 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 308 Least any may pretend ignorance or thinke we should slaken therein.
2. transitive. To assuage, mitigate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > mitigate or alleviate
lithec897
lighteOE
lissea1000
stillc1000
alightOE
alithe?a1200
softc1225
swagec1330
abate?c1335
easea1374
accoya1375
allegea1375
stintc1374
slakea1387
assuage1393
planea1400
slecka1400
plasterc1400
soften?c1415
lighten?a1425
mitigate?a1425
relievec1425
asoftc1430
alleviate?a1475
allevya1500
sletcha1500
alleve1544
allevate1570
salve?1577
sweetena1586
smooth1589
disembitter1622
deleniate1623
slaken1629
tranquillitate1657
soothe1711
1629 W. Mure True Crucifixe in Wks. I. 275 Till God thy Dolours slaken, in some sort.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1911; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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