† sleuthn.1
Obsolete.
1.
a. Sloth; laziness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > [noun]
sleuthc888
sweernessc888
slacknessc897
unlustOE
aswolkenessc1000
slothc1175
sweeringa1300
sloth-head1303
unlusthead1340
nicetya1387
sluggardy1390
sluggardness1398
nicehead1440
musardryc1450
slugnessc1450
lashness1477
sweerdomc1480
truantness1483
passibilityc1485
sleuthfulness1488
sluggardry1513
slothfulness1526
sluggardise1532
luskishness1538
desidiousnessa1540
ocivity1550
restiness?c1550
niceness1557
laziness1580
easinessa1586
poltroonery1590
facility1615
pigritude1623
pigrity1623
otiosity1632
easefulnessa1639
dronishness1674
reasiness1679
indolence1710
accidity1730
indolency1741
lurgy1769
donothingness1814
far niente1819
oisivity1830
donothingism1839
dronage1846
lotus-eating1852
faineance1853
faineancy1854
bummerism1858
lazyhood1866
bone-laziness1875
sleevelessness1882
bummery1887
sluggardliness1977
c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. xviii. §3 For heora slæwðd & for gimeleste & eac for recceleste.
c1000 Ælfric in Assmann Ags. Hom. i. 224 We ne magon mid slæwðe..þa ecan myrhðe mid Gode geearnian.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 103 Desidia, þet is slewðe on englisc.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7508 Þet folc..turnde to sleuþe & to prute & to lecherie.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 32 Efterward comþ sleuþe.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 32 Efter sleauþe is uoryetinge.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 355 Þey..ȝeueþ hem alle to idelnesse and to sleuþe.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 1749 Why er we þus in sleuth sett?
a1500 ( J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. (Rawl.) (1898) 228 A grete vysage and broode tokenyth slewthe in manere, as Oxeen and Assis.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid x. vi. 46 Than na delay of sleuth, nor feir, ne bost, Wythheld Turnus.
?1520 A. Barclay tr. Sallust Cron. Warre agaynst Iugurth i. f. 67v There was neuer man whiche obtayned..euerlastynge name by cowardise or sleuth.
?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. Di Slewth gloteny & other pleasurs.
1629 W. Mure True Crucifixe 3113 in Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 294 Not in the Bed of slouth Reposing.
1636 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae (new ed.) 1560 Then let us remove, And sleepe no more in sleuth.
b. As a ‘proper term’ (cf. sloth n.1 3).
ΚΠ
1486 Bk. St. Albans f vj A Sleuth of Beeris.
2. Slowness, slow movement. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [noun]
slacknessc1000
latenessOE
sleutha1387
slowfulness1483
lenta1500
snailishness1905
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1871) III. 207 By þe sleuþe of þe manere of tunes.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
sleuthn.2
/sluːθ/ΘΚΠ
society > communication > indication > marking > a mark > trace or vestige > [noun] > left by the passage of something > of a person or animal
sleuthc1175
footstepa1300
feutea1375
treadc1400
fewea1425
foil1575
trail1590
carriage1600
sign1692
piste1696
spoor1823
worm-track1859
met1914
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1194 Ȝiff þu..follȝhesst aȝȝ clænnessess sloþ. & læresst me to follȝhenn.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1254 In þat way sal þou find forsoth Þi moders and mine our bather slogh [v.r. sloth].
a1300 Cursor Mundi 1285, etc.
1429 in Cal. Documents Scotl. (1888) IV. 404 Gif onny man..makking lauchful sluthe as the trewis wil, be slayne.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) vii. 44 Iohne of lorn Persauit the hund the sleuth had lorn.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 137 The sloith stoppyt, at Fawdoun still scho [sc. the dog] stude.
2.
a. A bloodhound.
b. Originally U.S. A detective. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > investigation of crime > [noun] > detective
plant1812
plain clothes1822
detective1850
plainclothesman1856
mouser1863
D.1869
sleuth1872
tec1879
dee1882
demon1889
sleuth-hound1890
split1891
fink1903
hawkshaw1903
busy1904
dick1905
gumshoe1913
Richard1914
shamus1925
cozzer1950
Five-O1983
1872 N.Y. Fireside Compan. 13 May 4/3 The name of the story is Sleuth, the Detective and a more remarkable and thrilling story has seldom ever been written.
1904 ‘O. Henry’ Cabbages & Kings iv. 73 Goodwin followed at increased speed, but without any of the artful tactics that are so dear to the heart of the sleuth.
1907 Black Cat June 11 The sleuths whose protection he had invoked.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 28 Aug. 2/3 The ‘sleuth’ that tracks down the murderer.
1949 Manch. Guardian Weekly 22 Dec. 2/3 A school of newspaper sleuths who attributed every declaration of American foreign policy to the hidden hand of George Kennan.
1958 ‘J. Byrom’ Or be he Dead v. 69 I gather you have Miss Canning as your assistant sleuth.
1979 Oxf. Jrnl. 16 Nov. 1 (caption) Amateur sleuths Gordon Murray and Jane Lawton... Their investigations launched a top-level probe into an Oxford business.
Compounds
General attributive, as sleuth-dog, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > dogs used for specific purposes > [noun] > sporting or hunting dog > used to track people
sleuth-dog1802
police dog1836
negro dog1845
nigger dog1877
tracker dog1962
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 96 Bot this sloth brache [v.r. sluth ratche]..On Wallace fute folowit so felloune fast.
1802 in W. Scott Minstrelsy Sc. Border I. 190 Lang Aicky..Wi' his sleuth dog sits in his watch right sure.
1823 W. Scott Peveril IV. vi. 120 The sleuth-dog, which, eager, fierce, and clamorous in pursuit of his prey, desists from it so soon as blood is sprinkled upon his path.
Derivatives
sleuth-like adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Canidae > hound > [adjective] > like a bloodhound
bloodhound1621
sleuth-like1876
1876 N. Amer. Rev. 123 371 The quiet, untiring sluth-like assiduity with which Mr. Silden was ferreting out their wrong-doings.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
† sleuthadj.1
Scottish. Obsolete. rare.
Slothful, slow.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > [adjective]
lateeOE
slackc1000
slowc1225
heavya1400
lent14..
slowfulc1400
sloth1412
latesomea1425
sluggedc1430
sluggingc1430
tardy1483
lingeringa1547
tarde1547
sleuth1567
snailish1581
slow-moving1592
lagging1597
snail-paced1597
snail-slow1600
slow-pacing1616
snail-like1639
sluggish1640
ignave1657
languishing1693
slow-stepping1793
lentitudinous1801
somnolent1812
slow-coachish1844
tardigradous1866
vermigrade1938
slow-cooking1968
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > [adjective]
sweerc725
foridledc1230
idlea1300
faintc1325
recrayed1340
slewful1340
nicea1398
sleuthya1400
delicate?c1400
sleuthfulc1400
slothfulc1400
sloth1412
lurdanc1480
luskinga1500
luskish15..
droning1509
bumbard?a1513
slottery1513
desidiousa1540
lazy1549
slovening1549
truanta1550
sleuth1567
litherly1573
truantly1579
dronish1580
lubberly1580
truant-like1583
shiftless1584
sluggard1594
fat1598
lusky1604
sweatless1606
clumse1611
easeful1611
loselly1611
do-littlea1613
sluggardisha1627
pigritious1638
drony1653
murcid1656
thokisha1682
shammockinga1704
indolent1710
huddroun1721
nothing-doing1724
desidiose1727
lusk1775
slack-twisted1794
sweert1817
bone-lazya1825
lurgy1828
straight-backed1830
do-nothing1832
slobbish1833
bone idle1836
slouch1837
lotophagous1841
shammocky1841
bein1847
thoky1847
lotus-eating1852
fainéant1855
sluggardly1865
lazy-boned1875
do-naught1879
easy-going1879
lazyish1892
slobbed1962
the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [adjective] > tardy or sluggish > specifically of persons or animals
slowc1300
sloth1412
sluggingc1430
sluggishc1450
sleuth1567
slowback1610
dilatorya1616
tardigradous1652
reluctant1797
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 180 Wald thay na mair Impugne the treuth, Syne in thair office be nocht sleuth [1621 slueth].
1570 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. x. 92 Quhen pleisit God to send ȝow Scottis þe treuth, The same to further at Leith he was not sleuth.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
sleuthadj.2
rare.
Persistent, dogged.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > perseverance or persistence > [adjective]
unwearyc893
unwearieda1240
perseverant1340
continuing1393
persevering?a1425
importunate1477
infatigable?1510
unfatigablec1550
persisting1552
unweariable1561
holdfast1567
indefatigable1586
patient1590
faintless1593
untired1597
untired1600
assidual1605
unrelenting1606
persistive1609
unwearyinga1614
hard1615
indefesse1621
constant1639
assiduous1660
dogged1700
unremitting1730
inexhaustible1762
unremitted1774
untiring1823
persistent1830
sleuth1864
tug-like1890
1864 R. D. Blackmore Clara Vaughan I. i. vii. 60 A treacherous, blue, three-cornered blade,..sleuth as hate, and tenacious as death.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
† sleuthv.1
1. intransitive. To be slothful. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > be slothful or lazy [verb (intransitive)]
sleuthc1300
sloth1390
slotter1553
sloven1560
truant1580
drone1632
slubberc1820
sluggardize1837
to lie down1918
to dick off1948
schlump1953
c1300 Moral Ode [37] in Anglia I. 9 Ne solde no man don a first, ne sleuhþen wel to donne.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 459/1 Slewthyn, or sluggon, torpeo, torpesco.
2.
a. transitive. To delay, put off, neglect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > delay [verb (transitive)]
forslowc888
eldc897
forsita940
gele971
lengOE
drilla1300
delayc1300
onfrestc1300
tarryc1320
jornc1330
dretchc1380
defer1382
forbida1387
to put offa1387
to put (also set) (something) in (or on) delaya1393
dilate1399
fordrawa1400
to put overc1410
latch?c1422
adjournc1425
prolongc1425
proloynec1425
rejournc1425
to put in respite1428
sleuthc1430
respitea1450
prorogue1453
refer1466
sleep1470
supersede1482
respectc1487
postpone1496
overseta1500
respett1500
enjourna1513
relong1523
retract1524
tarde1524
track1524
to fode forth1525
tract1527
protract1528
further1529
to make stay of1530
surcease1530
prorogate1534
to fay upon longc1540
linger1543
retard?1543
slake1544
procrastine1548
reprieve1548
remit1550
suspense1556
leave1559
shiftc1562
suspend1566
procrastinate1569
dally1574
post1577
to hold off1580
drift1584
loiter1589
postpose1598
to take one's (own) timea1602
flag1602
slug1605
elong1610
belay1613
demur1613
tardya1616
to hang up1623
frist1637
disjourn1642
future1642
off1642
waive1653
superannuate1655
perendinate1656
stave1664
detard1675
remora1686
to put back1718
withhold1726
protract1737
to keep over1847
to hold over1853
laten1860
to lay over1885
hold1891
back-burner1975
the world > action or operation > manner of action > slowness of action or operation > be slow in performing [verb (transitive)] > be backward or dilatory to do something
forsita940
sleuthc1430
sleep1470
suspend1581
c1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) ii. xc. 108 I slewthede it, and dide no more ther too;..and wel ofte bi me hath be many a good werk slewthed.
1450 J. Fastolf in Paston Lett. & Papers (2005) III. 113 That thys be not slewthed, for tarye[n]g drawyth perell.
1513 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid xi. ix. 62 Mony was him self he accusit, That he sa lang had slewthit and refusit To ressaue glaidly the Troiane Enee.
1534 in State Papers Henry VIII (1836) V. 12 We do nocht sleucht nor contenow no manor thing yat concernis the King.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 135 Sieing all was sluthit, thair was no mischeif could befall our king bot was deliuerit wnto ws.
b. To waste in sloth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)] > waste time
leese?c1225
losea1340
defer1382
wastea1400
slip1435
consumea1500
superexpend1513
slow?1522
sloth1523
to fode forth1525
slack1548
dree1584
sleuth1584
confound1598
spenda1604
to fret out1608
to spin out1608
misplace1609
spend1614
tavern1628
devast1632
to drill away, on, outa1656
dulla1682
to dally away1685
squander1693
to linger awaya1704
dangle1727
dawdle1768
slim1812
diddle1826
to run out the clock1957
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > spend (time) in sloth or laziness [verb (transitive)]
sloth1523
dronea1538
slug1548
sleuth1584
truant1597
laze1661
saunter1672
lounge1757
loll1784
slim1812
lazy1885
1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. Oiiv Men sould be warr, To sleuth the tyme that flees fra them so farr.
Derivatives
ˈsleuthing n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > delay or postponement > [noun]
longingeOE
bideOE
abodec1225
bodea1300
demura1300
dwella1300
litinga1300
delayc1300
delayingc1300
demurrancec1300
but honec1325
without ensoignec1325
abidec1330
dretchingc1330
dwellingc1330
essoinc1330
tarrying1340
litea1350
delaymenta1393
respitea1393
oversettinga1398
delayancea1400
delitea1400
lingeringa1400
stounding?a1400
sunyiea1400
targea1400
train?a1400
deferring14..
dilation14..
dayc1405
prolongingc1425
spacec1430
adjourningc1436
retardationc1437
prolongation?a1439
training1440
adjournment1445
sleuthingc1450
tarry1451
tarriance1460
prorogation1476
oversetc1485
tarriage1488
debaid1489
supersedement1492
superseding1494
off-putting1496
postponing1496
tract1503
dilating1509
sparinga1513
hafting1519
sufferance1523
tracking1524
sticking1525
stay1530
pause1532
protraction1535
tracting1535
protract of time1536
protracting1540
postposition1546
staying1546
procrastination1548
difference1559
surceasing1560
tardation1568
detract1570
detracting1572
tarryment1575
rejourning1578
detraction1579
longness1579
rejournment1579
holding1581
reprieving1583
cunctation1585
retarding1585
retardance1586
temporizing1587
by and by1591
suspensea1592
procrastinatinga1594
tardance1595
linger1597
forslacking1600
morrowing1602
recess1603
deferment1612
attendance1614
put-off1623
adjournal1627
fristing1637
hanging-up1638
retardment1640
dilatoriness1642
suspension1645
stickagea1647
tardidation1647
transtemporation1651
demurragea1656
prolatation1656
prolation1656
moration1658
perendination1658
offput1730
retardure1751
postponement1757
retard1781
traverse1799
tarrowing1832
mañana1845
temporization1888
procrastinativeness1893
deferral1895
traa dy liooar1897
stalling1927
heel-tapping1949
off-put1970
the world > action or operation > inaction > disinclination to act or listlessness > sloth or laziness > [noun] > behaviour
lomperingc1315
truandisea1400
sleuthingc1450
slugging1532
truanting1532
lusking1579
concessation1623
lazinga1626
lounging1793
loafing1838
bumming1857
mooch1859
loaf1860
sluggarding1864
flânerie1873
slobbery1912
spine-bashing1941
slobbing1960
lepak1993
lepaking1994
c1450 Godstow Reg. 78 With-out tariinge or slewthynge, al so sone as hyt myht lawfully be done.
1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 542 Persauis thou not quhat pretious tyme, thy slewthing dois oreschute?
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
sleuthv.2
/sluːθ/ a. transitive. To track (a person); to investigate (something or someone). Also with out (in quot. 1939: to detect or expose).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > order of movement > following behind > follow [verb (transitive)] > follow (a track or trail) > follow track or trail of
troda1250
tracec1440
track1565
train1575
tract1577
hunt1579
foot1581
trail1590
to tread the feet of1596
insist1631
pad1861
sleuth1905
back-trail1907
back-track1925
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)]
underseekc897
speerc900
lookeOE
askOE
seeOE
teem witnessc1200
seeka1300
fand13..
inquirec1300
undergoc1315
visit1338
pursuea1382
searcha1382
examinec1384
assay1387
ensearchc1400
vesteyea1425
to have in waitc1440
perpend1447
to bring witnessc1475
vey1512
investigate?1520
recounta1530
to call into (also in) question1534
finger1546
rip1549
sight1556
vestigatea1561
to look into ——1561
require1563
descry?1567
sound1579
question1590
resolve1593
surview1601
undersearch1609
sift1611
disquire1621
indagate1623
inspect1623
pierce1640
shrive1647
in-looka1649
probe1649
incern1656
quaeritate1657
inquisite1674
reconnoitre1740
explore1774
to bring to book1786
look-see1867
scrutate1882
to shake down1915
sleuth1939
screen1942
society > law > law enforcement > investigation of crime > investigate or discover as a detective [verb (transitive)]
gumshoe1913
detect1928
sleuth1939
1905 Rev. of Reviews Sept. 254 Berton..has been sleuthed by the detectives.
1909 A. C. Gunter Prince Karl 269 You sleuth her to Buffalo and it will get you a raise in salary.
1939 Time 16 Oct. 101/1 By such slightly off-the-record stunts as burglarizing the plane factory..the Major sleuths out a sabotage gang.
1949 Sun (Baltimore) 16 Nov. 14/3 Men who qualify for the tremendous job of sleuthing a single big industry like steel or coal—and determining the facts to make wage, hour and pension recommendations.
1956 A. Christie Dead Man's Folly xviii. 240 ‘Who hired you to sleuth me?’.. ‘You are in error,’ replied Poirot. ‘I have not been sleuthing you.’
1968 P. Dickinson Skin Deep v. 108 It had been something private he'd sleuthed out, something secret.
1979 Amer. Speech 1978 53 285 Ten years ago, sleuthing a clue from Lenneberg, I wrote..‘The use of tools may be much older than language’.
b. intransitive. To act as a detective; to conduct an investigation. Also with around.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > law enforcement > investigation of crime > investigate crime [verb (intransitive)]
sleuth1912
detect1926
1912 L. J. Vance Destroying Angel xx. 276 So I went sleuthing; traced you through the canal to Peconic.
1930 ‘Sapper’ Finger of Fate 99 My poor friend..labours under the delusion that he is a detective. He goes about with magnifying glasses, and sleuths.
1975 High Times Dec. 31/2 If you sleuth around—beginning at the roach-infested gringo palace, the Hotel Astorial—you can get directions to the mushroom fields overlooking San José.
1980 E. Dewhurst Drink This ii. 28 He had been sleuthing, unconsciously..all the time he had thought he was relaxing.
Derivatives
ˈsleuthing n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun]
inspection1390
search1415
probationc1422
ensearchingc1430
surview1432
enserchise1436
overseeingc1449
sight1452
hearkeninga1483
discuting1483
ensearcha1509
inquiry1512
upsightc1515
perusing1556
perpending1558
overlooking1565
interview1567
trial1575
peruse1578
visitation1583
perspective?a1586
overviewing1590
looking over1599
sounding1599
perusal1604
supervise1604
disquisition1605
expiscation1605
prospect1625
ravellinga1626
disquiry1628
disquisitive1660
perpendment1667
inspecting1788
sleuthing1900
casing1928
society > law > law enforcement > investigation of crime > [noun]
criminal investigation1799
detectiveship1877
detectivism1894
sleuthing1900
1900 G. Ade More Fables 193 He called himself a Reformer, and he did all his Sleuthing in the line of Duty.
1904 N.Y. Sun 8 Aug. 3 It is through his clever sleuthing that the arrest of members of the gang was made.
1924 Weekly Westm. 13 Sept. 580/2 One always knew all about his theories and his sleuthing.
1946 Reader's Digest Sept. 76/1 Izzy knew nothing of sleuthing procedure; he simply knocked on the door.
1958 T. F. T. Plucknett Early Eng. Legal Lit. v. 83 Teasing as these references are, they seem too obscure and divergent to permit any plausible conclusion as to the authorship of Brevia Placitata, in spite of the very clever sleuthing of Mr Turner.
1979 Dædalus Summer 111 It is possible, through conscientious sleuthing, to decode the secondary associations of symbols.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
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n.1c888
n.2c1175adj.11567
adj.21864v.1c1300v.21900- minimising
- minimism
- minimist
- mischiefhatching
- mischiefing
- mischiefloving
- mischiefmaker
- mischiefmaking
- mischiefmaster
- mischiefmonger
- mischiefs
- mischiefsufferer
- mischieftainted
- mischieftaker
- mischiefworking
- mischiefwreaker
- mischievable
- mischievance
- mischieve
- mischieved
- mischieving
- mischievous
- mischievous-eyed
- mischievous-minded
- mischievous-stomached