slickn.¹

Brit.

/slɪk/, U.S.

/slɪk/

Etymology: < slick adj. or slick v.

†a. A cosmetic, an unguent. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > [noun] > preparations for the skin or complexion > unguents or moisturizers

oil of talc1582

slick1626

cold cream1709

cream1765

amandin1861

face cream1889

skin food1892

skin cream1894

orange-flower skin food1908

violet cream1912

day cream1915

vanishing cream1916

night cream1926

orange skin food1926

baby oil1930

hormone cream1938

moisture cream1957

moisturizer1957

mousse1971

1626 J. Florio et al. tr. T. Boccalini New-found Politicke iii. xvii. 233 My face..is done ouer with Ladies licks, slicks, and other painting stuffe of the Levant.

b. Carpentry. (See quot. 1875.)

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > chisel > [noun] > for cutting wood

gouge1495

former1530

ripping-chisel1659

firming chisel1799

framing chisel1829

slick1875

turning-chisel1877

1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2208 Slick, a wide-bitted chisel, used by framers in paring the sides of mortises and tenons.

c. An implement used for slicking; a slicker.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > other specific types of equipment > [noun] > scraper

scrapple1354

grate14..

scraper1552

grater1580

slick1883

duck-bill1911

1883 Archaeologia Cantiana 15 103 I have..discovered..some elegant slicks or scrapers of peculiar form.

1883 Archaeologia Cantiana 15 103 When trimmed on one side only, such a flake [of flint] was used as a scraper or slick.

†2. Cards. (See quot. 1674.) Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card-sharping or cheating > [noun] > methods of

palm1664

high game1665

palming1671

slick1674

brief1680

gammoning1700

shoulder-dash1711

bridge1773

weaving1803

bridging1843

palmistry1859

slipping1864

stocking1887

big mitt1903

1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (1680) 94 The Slick is when before-hand the Gamester takes a Pack of Cards, and with a slick-stone smooths all the Putt-Cards.

1711 J. Puckle Club (1817) 23 The bent, the slick, the breef, the spur.

a. Originally U.S. A smooth place or streak on the surface of water, usually caused by the presence of some oily or greasy substance. spec. A floating mass of oil. Also transferred. (Cf. sleek n.³)

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > water > body of water > [noun] > surface of > smooth place on

sleek1840

slick1849

the world > matter > constitution of matter > oiliness or greasiness > [noun] > oiliness > oil > film of on water

sleek1840

slick1849

oil slick1887

oil patch1918

sheen1970

the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > pollution or defilement > environmental pollution > [noun] > oil pollution

oil slick1887

oil pollution1922

oil spill1934

oiling1937

slick1938

oilberg1966

1849 D. Webster Private Corr. II. 333 You have seen on the surface of the sea, those smooth places, which fishermen and sailors call ‘slicks’.

a1862 H. D. Thoreau Maine Woods (1864) iii. 172 I emptied the melted pork..into the lake, making what sailors call a ‘slick’.

1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 210 They..leave in their track similar ‘slicks’ of oil and blood.

1889 Cent. Mag. Mar. 710/2 It had..formed an 950oil-slick thirty feet to windward.

1938 Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 30 July 1/8 The slick..caused by oil from the ‘Hawaii Clipper’.

1950 Jrnl. Marine Res. 9 69 Artificial slicks form in harbor waters contaminated with refuse and oil.

1973 Daily Tel. 9 Mar. (Colour Suppl.) 12/2 You can see the mouse-run quite clearly because of the slick of oil which all rodents leave behind on walls and floors if they regularly move along a particular route.

1982 H. Innes Black Tide ii. i. 28 The slick now stretched in a great smooth, brown, greasy layer right across the bay.

b. Mining. (See quot. 1883.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > thin layer > [noun] > separating strata

seam1592

lissena1641

parting1708

stripe1799

slick1883

seamlet1891

1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 225 Slicks, smooth partings or mere planes of division in strata.

c. A place on the hair or fur of an animal which has been made sleek by licking or the like.

ΚΠ

1891 in Cent. Dict.

4. A dash or stroke.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > [noun] > stroke of pen or brush

draughtc1305

hand1567

trait1589

hair-stroke1634

masterstroke1679

stroke1815

slick1881

1881 E. Coxon Basil Plant II. 226 ‘Isn't it wonderful?’ said one, ‘painted with just two slicks of the brush’.

5. U.S. A wild, unbranded horse, cow, or other range animal; a maverick.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > member of livestock > unbranded

slick1890

slick ear1914

1890 Stock Grower & Farmer 12 July 6/3 Seven of them were branded, the remainder were ‘slicks’, or horses which had run wild from birth.

1934 in J. A. & A. Lomax Amer. Ballads xvi. 411 No maverick or slick will be tallied In that great book of life in His home.

1965 G. Shepherd West of Yesterday xiv. 127 By picking up slicks or unbranded cattle on the way—gathered a nice little herd.

6. U.S. An expensive or ‘glossy’ magazine (opposed to pulp magazine n. at pulp n. Compounds 2).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > journalism > journal > periodical > [noun] > other periodicals

annals1763

scientific journal1797

story paper1849

woman's magazine1868

woman's mag1887

house journal1912

film magazine1916

digest1922

fan magazine1928

pulp magazine1929

confession magazine1931

slick1934

glossy1945

trade1949

photonovel1967

1934 Writer Mar. 73/2 Perhaps he [sc. the author] gets an offer for two hundred dollars from one of the ‘slicks’.

1953 S. Kauffmann Philanderer iv. 65 We're going to change one of our present magazines—from a confession to a woman's slick.

1958 Manch. Guardian 26 Sept. 4/3 Jack Finney's stories, which have been popular in the better American slicks, point the trend all the more for not all being science fiction.

1977 Transatlantic Rev. No. 60. 57 One will keep on about ‘the slicks’ he wants to write for.

a. A smooth tyre used on various kinds of racing vehicle.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > racing with vehicles > motor racing > [noun] > racing car > tyre

slick1959

society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > [noun] > parts of vehicle moving on wheels > wheel > rubber or pneumatic tyre > types of

sidewall1901

non-skid1905

retread1909

remould1928

recap1929

knobbly1938

knobby1943

whitewall1950

slick1959

bias-ply1964

radial1964

cross-ply1965

snow1968

Pennsylvania cap1971

wet1977

1959 Wall St. Jrnl. 11 Aug. 1/4 Both Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and General Tire & Rubber Co. have jumped into the business..developing and building ‘slicks’—smooth racing tires—for the little vehicles.

1965 Daily Mail 2 Oct. 5/7 The slicks (smooth, £20-a-piece racing tyres) burst into smoke and then into flame.

1978 ‘D. Rutherford’ Collision Course 56 Everybody had fitted ‘slicks’, the smooth treadless tyres used on dry roads.

b. (See quots.)

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > rotary wing aircraft > [noun] > helicopter or gyrocopter > type of small

scooter1953

slick1969

1969 I. Kemp Brit. G.I. in Vietnam iii. 45 The ‘slicks’—small Huey helicopters—would fly the troops to the battle zone, while the larger Chinooks brought in their heavy equipment.

1974 N. Meyer Target Pract. (1975) v. 61 We were lifted by choppers called ‘Hueys’ (or ‘slicks’, because they land on runners instead of wheels).

8. U.S. slang. A clever or smart person; a cheat or swindler. Cf. slicker n. 3; slickster n.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [noun]

clever-boots1847

smarty1847

smart alec1864

clever-clogs1866

clever-sides1886

clever Dick1895

wise guy1896

wisenheimer1904

smarty-pants1935

quiz kid1940

smart apple1940

smarty-boots1950

smart-ass1958

slick1959

clever-sticks1964

smart-arse1965

wise-ass1971

the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > defrauder or swindler > [noun]

feature14..

frauderc1475

prowler1519

lurcher1528

defrauder1552

frauditor1553

taker-upc1555

verserc1555

fogger1564

Jack-in-the-box1570

gilenyer1590

foist1591

rutter1591

crossbiter1592

sharker1594

shark1600

bat-fowler1602

cheater1606

foister1610

operator1611

fraudsman1613

projector1615

smoke-sellera1618

decoy1618

firkera1626

scandaroon1631

snapa1640

cunning shaver1652

knight of industrya1658

chouse1658

cheat1664

sharper1681

jockey1683

rooker1683

fool-finder1685

rookster1697

sheep-shearer1699

bubbler1720

gyp1728

bite1742

swindler1770

pigeon1780

mace1781

gouger1790

needle1790

fly-by-night1796

sharp1797

skinner1797

diddler1803

mace cove1811

mace-gloak1819

macer1819

flat-catcher1821

moonlight wanderer1823

burner1838

Peter Funk1840

Funk1842

pigeoner1849

maceman1850

bester1856

fiddler1857

highway robber1874

bunco-steerer1875

swizzler1876

forty1879

flim-flammer1881

chouser1883

take-down1888

highbinder1890

fraud1895

Sam Slick1897

grafter1899

come-on1905

verneuker1905

gypster1917

chiseller1918

tweedler1925

rorter1926

gazumper1932

chizzer1935

sharpie1942

sharpster1942

slick1959

slickster1965

rip-off artist1968

shonky1970

rip-off merchant1971

1959 N. Mailer Advts. for Myself (1961) i. 28 To try a major novel about the last war in Europe without a sense of the past is to fail in the worst way—as an over~ambitious and opportunistic slick.

1970 R. D. Abrahams Positively Black iv. 88 These stories commonly turn on some way in which the ‘slick’ manages to trick the white storekeeper ‘Mr. Charlie’ into giving him respect and service.

1971 E. Bullins in W. King Black Short Story Anthol. (1972) 76 Dandy's mother had a civil-service job in the city, and the city slick Dandy was from Philly.

1973 T. Kochman Rappin' & Stylin' Out 162 Other operators on the street who are looking for a chance to ‘whup’ (Chicago) or ‘run’ (Los Angeles, New York) ‘a game’ (trick someone out of some money) are known as ‘slicks’ or ‘slicksters’.

Compounds

slick-licker n. Canadian colloquial an apparatus for removing oil floating as a slick.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > oil and natural gas recovery equipment > [noun] > equipment for clearing oil slicks

slick-licker1970

skimmer1971

1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 7 May 4 (caption) Slick~lickers—barges in Nova Scotia's Chedabucto Bay designed to suck in oil off the water's surface from the wrecked tanker Arrow and transfer it to 45-gallon drums.

1972 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 12 Feb. 9/5 The federal transport department has placed a $150,000 order for 22 slicklicker machines... The machine..picks up oil from water surfaces by using an endless belt that has been treated chemically.

1975 Lamp (Exxon Corporation) Winter 24/1 Imperial Oil Limited, Exxon Corporation's Canadian affiliate, is employing a ‘slicklicker’ to counter the menace of oil spills on water.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

slickn.²

Brit.

/slɪk/, U.S.

/slɪk/

Origin: A borrowing from German. Etymon: German Schlich.

Etymology: < German Schlich (see slike n.). Compare slightly earlier schlich n.

Mining. Now rare.

Finely crushed metallic ore. Also attributive in slick gold.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > mineral material > ore > [noun] > crushed ore

knock-bark1653

schlich1677

slick1683

sludge1757

slime1758

pulp1837

debris1871

slum1874

1683 J. Pettus tr. L. Ercker ii. iii. 113 in Fleta Minor i Of Gold Slicks. Further, know also that when the Gold Oars and Gold Slicks are cleansed for to quicken [etc.].

1868 W. A. Goodyear tr. T. Bodemann & B. Kerl Treat. Assaying Lead, Copper, Silver 40 It is assumed that if the quantities of lead and silver in the slick from which the slimes came are known, the quantity of lead will bear the same ratio in the slime as in the slick, to the quantity of silver.

1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 Aug. 7/2 There were produced in Russia..in 1881, 2,382 poods (of 36 lb.) of slick-gold.

1983 Ecol. Bull. No. 35. 328 Dust gold is dissolved in amino acids 10–30 times faster than slick gold.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

slickadj.

Brit.

/slɪk/, U.S.

/slɪk/

Forms: α. Middle English–1500s slyke (Middle English slyk), slike. β. 1500s slycke, 1500s–1600s slicke, 1500s– slick.

Etymology: Middle English slĭke (developing into slick and sleek adj. and adv.), probably representing an Old English *slice , related to the verb slician (see slick v.) and perhaps cognate with Middle Flemish sleec , sleic (see sleek n.¹) An apparent Old English slíc given in Dictionaries is the result of a misreading: see Napier Contrib. O.E. Lexicogr. 57–58. Slykker in Palsgrave 324/1 is probably a misprint for slykke.

Now chiefly dialect and U.S.

1. Of skin, hair, etc.: Smooth, glossy, sleek. Also, of a surface: slippery (chiefly U.S.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > neat or trim > sleek

slick?a1366

smug1582

sleek1829

the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [adjective] > smooth and slippery

slippera1050

slibbery?c1225

slidderya1250

slidder1398

lubric1490

slid1513

slippery1551

icy?1552

slipperous1585

glib1594

gliding1594

slicked1594

glibbery1601

lubrical1602

slape1671

slithery1825

slithy1855

butter-smooth1868

slick1901

α.

?a1366 Romaunt Rose 542 Hir flesh tendre as is a chike, With bent browis, smothe and slyke.

c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 351 If the Cattes skyn be slyk and gay, She wol nat dwelle in house half a day.

a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 28026 When ȝe to sight haue made ȝow slike þan say ȝe men will ȝow biswike.

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 459/1 Slyke, or smothe, lenis.

a1470 Dives & Pauper (1496) x. vi. 379/2 The basynet..is clene fur~busshed from ruste, and made slyke and smothe that shot may soone glyde of.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 35 Lyke the..adder..His tayle smoog thirling, slyke breast to Titan vpheauing.

1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. G3 A skin as slike and soft as the backe of a swan.

β. 1549 T. Chaloner tr. Erasmus Praise of Folie sig. Bj This other with the slicke skinne and fayre fedde bodie is called Delicacie.1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 21 A deft conceite, a slicke forhead, a smugg countenaunce.1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman i. ii. 8 Her hayre more slicke and close to her skin.1653 T. Gataker Vindic. Annot. Jer. 10.2 137 A prone and plain path..not slick and smooth onely, but even steep and slipperie.1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo Comical Wks. (1709) 335 He is all slick with Grease without.1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Peach-Tree Those Peaches which are not slick, ought to be but indifferently hairy.1841 C. H. Hartshorne Salopia Antiqua Gloss. Slick,..smooth, shining.1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad xiii. 101 It struck that hard, slick, carpetless floor.1901 A. H. Rice Mrs. Wiggs of Cabbage Patch xi. 143 When the floor was dry and the candle sprinkled over it, Australia and Europena were detailed to slide upon it until it became slick.1936 M. Mitchell Gone with the Wind xxxv. 590 The horse..plodded off, picking its way carefully down the slick road.1979 C. Freeman Portraits (1980) vi. 31 The streets were covered with a white blanket of snow and ice so slick it was almost impossible for him to walk.1981 Railway Mag. Mar. 115/3 No. 765 [sc. a steam locomotive] was true to her breed, losing her footing temporarily on the slick rails as she fought for adhesion.in extended use.1679 The Confinement 49 More soft than a slick Gale, From Mountains top blown o're the flowry vale.

a. Of animals, etc.: Sleek in hair or skin; plump; well-conditioned. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > [adjective] > of health: good > healthy looking

quick?c1225

freshc1380

slickc1440

well-hueda1500

sleek1638

jollya1661

sonsy1720

sleekyc1725

well-looking1725

clean-run1881

the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [adjective] > having a coat > glossy

slickc1440

sleekyc1725

sleekish1850

c1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 689 In dayes thries x, let make hem [sc. chickens] slyke And faat ynough.

1599 T. Moffett Silkewormes 74 How a louer wise Delighteth more to touch Astarte slick Then Hecuba.

?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads ii. 680 The brauest mares..Both slicke and daintie.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 99 Meal of Garavance, which fattens all their Beasts of War, and makes them slick and fine.

1740 W. Somervile Hobbinol iii. 287 As the slick Lev'ret skims before the Pack.

1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. iv. 27 All of them selected as the fattest and slickest of the herd.

b. Of range animals: unbranded, wild. U.S.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > domestic animal > [adjective] > of livestock > unbranded

slick1955

1955 R. P. Hobson Nothing too Good for Cowboy xvii. 181 The pounding of slick horses hitting across the range.

1973 R. D. Symons Where Wagon Led i. iii. 39 Then brand everything that's ‘slick’—provided you know they're off your own mares.

3. Smooth; plausible; = sleek adj. and adv. 3 (Of persons or things personified.) See also sense 4 below.For a doubtful example see Havelok 1157.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective]

ficklinga1240

glozing1297

blandingc1315

blandishingc1374

glaveringc1394

fleering?a1400

sleekedc1400

faginga1425

smoothc1450

flattering1484

cogging1542

flatterous1546

butterya1585

smooth-tongueda1593

oily1598

silken1598

slick-tongued1598

soothing1599

sleek1601

slick1606

blandiloquous1615

supellectile1615

colloguing1620

losengeous1632

oiled-tongued1632

daubing1655

blandiloquious1689

smooth-booted1706

palavering1764

pill-gilding1764

oily-tongued1788

buttering1789

sleeky1810

smooth-spoken1821

oleaginous1833

butteraceous1837

saponaceous1837

soft-soapy1849

soapy1854

blarneying1884

smarmy1924

sweet-talking1956

smoothie1959

smarming1970

blandiloquent-

1606 No-body & Some-body sig. I2^v Smoth spaniel, soothing grome Slicke Oyly knaue, egregious parasite.

1640 T. Rawlins Rebellion iv. i. sig. F4 Whilst slicke Favonious playes the fawning slave.

1692 in B. Jonson Cynthias Revels (rev. ed.) i. ii. 37 in Wks. Slick Flattery and she Are twin-born Sisters.

1848 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 1st Ser. iv. 52 To the people they're ollers ez slick er molasses.

1876 J. G. Holland Story of Sevenoaks (new ed.) xx. 282 I hate a slick man.

1936 W. H. Auden & C. Isherwood Ascent of F6 (1937) i. i. 17 Evening. A slick and unctuous Time Has sold us yet another shop-soiled day.

4. Adroit, deft, quick, smart; skilful in action or execution. Also (merging with sense 3), glibly clever, having easy assurance. (Of persons.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > skilful or adroit

hendc1275

happya1400

clean1485

habile1485

practivea1500

feat1519

well-handeda1529

handsome1542

trick1542

neat1571

dexterous1622

adroit1652

right-handeda1661

artful1663

nitle1673

ambidextrousa1682

clever1716

jemmy1751

slick1807

sleek1822

cleverish1826

featy1844

two-handed1861

nifty1889

mean1918

organized1926

ept1938

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [adjective]

smarty1850

smart alec1877

clever-clever1896

wise guy1920

slick1921

smarty-pants1932

wisenheimer1937

smart-ass1951

smart-assed1957

smart-arsed1962

smarty-boots1962

smart-arse1965

wise-assed1967

wise-ass1971

1807 Lancaster (Pa.) Jrnl. 16 Oct. 3/1 You are getting too slick. What a charming thing it is to see men under good discipline.

1818 H. B. Fearon Sketches Amer. 5 I have been slick in going to the stand right away.

1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd II. iv. ii. 19 I ain't..slick at the gruelling of sick folks.

1893 J. H. McCarthy Red Diamonds I. 43 I had been a pretty slick voyager in my time.

1921 E. O'Neill Diff'rent i, in Emperor Jones 213 Jim Benson's one o' them slick jokers, same's Jack; can't keep their mouths shet or mind their own business.

1951 M. McLuhan Mech. Bride 141/2 The slick-chick and the corporation executive, as they now register on the popular imagination, are already inside the totem machine.

1953 R. Lehmann Echoing Grove 155 Give her a pen and she cannot be trusted not to express herself in clichés, like a schoolgirl with a smear of the popular slick journalist.

1966 ‘J. Hackston’ Father clears Out 98 The rest of our local colour was made up of a community of slick, quick-off-the-mark jumpers.

5. First-class, excellent; neat, in good order; smart, efficient, that operates smoothly; superficially attractive, glibly clever. (Of things, actions, etc.)

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > [adjective]

frameeOE

goodeOE

mightyOE

vailanta1325

sicker1338

mightful1340

suffisant1340

virtuousa1387

effectivea1398

effectuala1398

worthya1398

availingc1420

effectuous?a1425

operant?a1425

substantialc1449

virtual?a1475

substantious1483

available1502

efficacious1528

energial1528

working1532

operatory1551

operatoriousa1555

stately1567

feckful1568

efficace?1572

shifty1585

operative1590

instrumental1601

efficable1607

speeding1612

effectuating1615

officious1618

availsome1619

prevailable1624

valid1651

perficient1659

affectuous1664

implemental1676

virtual1760

efficient1787

sufficient1831

slick1833

roadworthy1837

practician1863

positive1903

performant1977

the world > relative properties > order > [adjective] > tidy

queemc1450

trig1513

trimc1521

neat1594

polite1602

terse1602

unlittered1612

ship-shape1644

snod1717

tight1720

redd1753

(as) neat (also clean) as a (new) pin1769

mack1825

tidy1828

slick1833

ship-shapely1843

trimly1858

taut1870

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]

faireOE

bremea1000

goodlyOE

goodfulc1275

noblec1300

pricec1300

specialc1325

gentlec1330

fine?c1335

singulara1340

thrivena1350

thriven and throa1350

gaya1375

properc1380

before-passinga1382

daintiful1393

principala1398

gradelya1400

burlyc1400

daintyc1400

thrivingc1400

voundec1400

virtuousc1425

hathelc1440

curiousc1475

singlerc1500

beautiful1502

rare?a1534

gallant1539

eximious1547

jolly1548

egregious?c1550

jellyc1560

goodlike1562

brawc1565

of worth1576

brave?1577

surprising1580

finger-licking1584

admirablea1586

excellinga1586

ambrosial1598

sublimated1603

excellent1604

valiant1604

fabulous1609

pure1609

starryc1610

topgallant1613

lovely1614

soaringa1616

twanging1616

preclarent1623

primea1637

prestantious1638

splendid1644

sterling1647

licking1648

spankinga1666

rattling1690

tearing1693

famous1695

capital1713

yrare1737

pure and —1742

daisy1757

immense1762

elegant1764

super-extra1774

trimming1778

grand1781

gallows1789

budgeree1793

crack1793

dandy1794

first rate1799

smick-smack1802

severe1805

neat1806

swell1810

stamming1814

divine1818

great1818

slap-up1823

slapping1825

high-grade1826

supernacular1828

heavenly1831

jam-up1832

slick1833

rip-roaring1834

boss1836

lummy1838

flash1840

slap1840

tall1840

high-graded1841

awful1843

way up1843

exalting1844

hot1845

ripsnorting1846

clipping1848

stupendous1848

stunning1849

raving1850

shrewd1851

jammy1853

slashing1854

rip-staving1856

ripping1858

screaming1859

up to dick1863

nifty1865

premier cru1866

slap-bang1866

clinking1868

marvellous1868

rorty1868

terrific1871

spiffing1872

all wool and a yard wide1882

gorgeous1883

nailing1883

stellar1883

gaudy1884

fizzing1885

réussi1885

ding-dong1887

jim-dandy1888

extra-special1889

yum-yum1890

out of sight1891

outasight1893

smooth1893

corking1895

large1895

super1895

hot dog1896

to die for1898

yummy1899

deevy1900

peachy1900

hi1901

v.g.1901

v.h.c.1901

divvy1903

doozy1903

game ball1905

goodo1905

bosker1906

crackerjack1910

smashinga1911

jake1914

keen1914

posh1914

bobby-dazzling1915

juicy1916

pie on1916

jakeloo1919

snodger1919

whizz-bang1920

wicked1920

four-star1921

wow1921

Rolls-Royce1922

whizz-bang1922

wizard1922

barry1923

nummy1923

ripe1923

shrieking1926

crazy1927

righteous1930

marvy1932

cool1933

plenty1933

brahmaa1935

smoking1934

solid1935

mellow1936

groovy1937

tough1937

bottler1938

fantastic1938

readyc1938

ridge1938

super-duper1938

extraordinaire1940

rumpty1940

sharp1940

dodger1941

grouse1941

perfecto1941

pipperoo1945

real gone1946

bosting1947

supersonic1947

whizzo1948

neato1951

peachy-keen1951

ridgey-dite1953

ridgy-didge1953

top1953

whizzing1953

badass1955

wild1955

belting1956

magic1956

bitching1957

swinging1958

ridiculous1959

a treat1959

fab1961

bad-assed1962

uptight1962

diggish1963

cracker1964

marv1964

radical1964

bakgat1965

unreal1965

pearly1966

together1968

safe1970

bad1971

brilliant1971

fabby1971

schmick1972

butt-kicking1973

ripper1973

Tiffany1973

bodacious1976

rad1976

kif1978

awesome1979

death1979

killer1979

fly1980

shiok1980

stonking1980

brill1981

dope1981

to die1982

mint1982

epic1983

kicking1983

fabbo1984

mega1985

ill1986

posho1989

pukka1991

lovely jubbly1992

awesomesauce2001

nang2002

bess2006

amazeballs2009

boasty2009

daebak2009

beaut2013

the world > action or operation > [adjective] > operating smoothly

well-running1697

well-operated1847

slick1927

1833 Jamestown (N.Y.) Jrnl. 25 Sept. 2/1 Of all the inventions I've hearn on of Mr. Van Buren's, this is about the slickest.

1837 Baltimore Commercial Transcript 4 Sept. 2/3 Prudence guessed strawberries and cream were slick. Jonathan thought they wa'nt so slick as Pru's lips.

1838 B. Drake Tales & Sketches 30 Well, now, that's right down slick, anyhow.

1840 C. F. Hoffman Greyslaer II. xii. 58 Add the salt and pepper fixings, and the king himself hasn't a slicker supper.

1860 J. G. Holland Miss Gilbert's Career viii. 131 I love to see a young man that keeps things slick around him.

1866 in J. E. Brogden Provinc. Words Lincs.

1891 Fur, Fin & Feather Mar. 169 They reckons to make mighty slick work in cleaning everything up on the way back.

1891 Cent. Mag. Mar. 658 All that was really done was to..see that everything was slick.

1901 W. Churchill Crisis I. xii. 104 ‘You'd die laughing, Lige, to hear how he did it.’ ‘Some slickness, I'll gamble,’ grunted Captain Lige. ‘Well, I reckon 'twas slick.’

1904 W. H. Smith Promoters i. 19 I've seen the thing done a hundred times, with a slick word every time.

1905 M^cClure's Mag. June 121/1 ‘They certainly gave us a slick time,’ said the lad. ‘Why our dinner cost nine dollars!

1911 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republ. 3 Aug. 9 A bellboy, slight of stature, slick of attire.

1920 E. O'Neill Beyond Horizon i. ii. 35 ‘He'll make this one of the slickest, best-payin' farms in the state.’.. ‘Seems to me it's a pretty slick place right now.’

1921 J. Galsworthy To Let 286 He could not go on staying here, walled in and sheltered, with everything so slick and comfortable.

1927 New Republic 12 Oct. 218/2 His dialogue is of that slick and well oiled kind that you may meet in good vaudeville or in the Saturday Evening Post.

1931 E. F. Benson Mapp & Lucia i. 18 Let us practise that scene where I knight you. We must get it very slick.

1933 E. O'Neill Ah, Wilderness! iii. i. 95 How was that for a slick way of getting rid of him?

1940 M. V. Hughes London Family between Wars xii. 157 America.., with its slick, fervid haste and its terrifying efficiency.

1958 Woman 22 Feb. 23/3 That's what ‘Six-Five Special’ does to you!.. We must admit that it's about the slickest light show on TV today.

1972 E. H. Gombrich Story of Art (ed. 12) xxvi. 439 He had more and more become convinced that art was in danger of becoming slick and superficial.

1978 Electronics & Power Nov.–Dec. 824/1 When that [sc. the robbing of banks] became difficult we went for the cash in transit, until the professionals got their drill so slick that the game was not worth the candle.

1978 Lancashire Life Oct. 155/2 The Accord four-door I drove had a slick, finger-light, five-speed manual gearbox with a well chosen set of ratios.

1979 Church Times 6 July 16/5 I will scrap Series Three And invent something slicker. How grand to be free—A real alive Vicar!

Compounds

C1. slick-faced, slick-haired, slick-tongued.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective]

ficklinga1240

glozing1297

blandingc1315

blandishingc1374

glaveringc1394

fleering?a1400

sleekedc1400

faginga1425

smoothc1450

flattering1484

cogging1542

flatterous1546

butterya1585

smooth-tongueda1593

oily1598

silken1598

slick-tongued1598

soothing1599

sleek1601

slick1606

blandiloquous1615

supellectile1615

colloguing1620

losengeous1632

oiled-tongued1632

daubing1655

blandiloquious1689

smooth-booted1706

palavering1764

pill-gilding1764

oily-tongued1788

buttering1789

sleeky1810

smooth-spoken1821

oleaginous1833

butteraceous1837

saponaceous1837

soft-soapy1849

soapy1854

blarneying1884

smarmy1924

sweet-talking1956

smoothie1959

smarming1970

blandiloquent-

1598 G. Chapman in C. Marlowe & G. Chapman Hero & Leander (new ed.) iii. sig. G3^v Slick-tongde fame patcht vp with voyces rude.

1598 G. Chapman tr. Homer Seauen Bks. Iliades vii. 123 You slicke hayrd louer: you that hunt, and fleere at wenches so.

a1687 C. Cotton Poems (1689) 232 The slick-fac'd School-boy Sachel takes.

1879– in Eng. Dial. Dict. (Slick-faced, -tongued).

C2.

slick ear n. U.S. = slick n.¹ 5; also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > member of livestock > unbranded

slick1890

slick ear1914

1914 World's Work XXVII. 447/1 Any ‘slick-ear’ (steer not marked on the ears or branded) found on the range about which inquiry was made was promptly assigned to his ownership, and ‘slick-ears’ eventually became known as ‘mavericks’.

1958 ‘W. Henry’ Seven Men at Mimbres Springs vii. 74 I'd clean forgot the slick-ear son of a bitch!

1966 H. Marriott Cariboo Cowboy iv. 48 Sometimes the cow would die for some reason or another and the calf would be left without a mother, in which case it grew up an orphan calf or a ‘slick-ear’.

C3.

slick-paper n. U.S. a kind of glossy paper used esp. for printing popular magazines (cf. slick n.¹ 6); usually attributive. Hence slick magazine, slick story.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > printing > paper > [adjective] > types of printing paper

surfaced1869

slick-paper1930

unburst1961

1930 D. Wilhelm Writing for Profit iv. 102 There are between 100 and 125 pulp-paper magazines alone beside all the illustrated and ‘slick paper’ magazines!

1936 Amer. Mercury XXXVII. 286/2 Occasionally I have put aside two weeks..in which to attempt a slick magazine story.

1949 H. E. Neal Writing & Selling Fact & Fiction ii. 17 The average slick story is divisible into six parts.

1976 National Observer (U.S.) 23 Oct. 22/5 They will come again next year with..their suitcases stuffed with slick~paper brochures full of self-praise.

1980 TWA Ambassador Oct. 82/3 Two distinct genres of regional business publications are trying to serve this market: the tabloid and the slick magazine.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

slickv.

Brit.

/slɪk/, U.S.

/slɪk/

Forms: α. (Old English slician,) Middle English sliken, Middle English slyken; Middle English–1500s slike, slyke. β. 1500s slycke, slicke, 1500s– slick.

Etymology: Old English -slician (in nigslicod ): compare sleek v. It is not clear how this is related to Icelandic slíkja, Norwegian slikja, to be, or to make, sleek.

a. transitive. To render smooth or glossy; to polish; to smooth with a slicker.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)] > make smooth and polished or glossy

slicka1225

polisha1382

sleekc1440

levigate1617

sleeken1621

slicken1621

conglaciate1656

steel1807

α.

a900 Old Eng. Martyrol. 17 Nov. 206 Heo glytenode..swa scynende sunne oððe nigslicod hrægel.]

a1225 Legend St. Katherine 1660 Istenet [is] euch strete mid deorewurðe stanes,..isliket & ismaket as eni gles smeðest.

c1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesw. in Wright Voc. 172 Ke ele lusche, [that she] slike.

c1340 Nominale (Skeat) 158 W[oman] oft with slikeston slikyth.

a1626 J. Horsey Relacion Trav. in E. A. Bond Russia at Close of 16th Cent. (1856) 234 Silkes, silver and gold, the threed sliked flat, to illustrat the bewty therof.

β. 1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount (1568) 90 b Take a cloute or linnen cloth wete in water, wherwith you shall slycke and make smoth the said tables.1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xvii. xxvi To slick, polish, and smooth them again with the pumy stone.1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 75 Parchment dyed green, and slickt with a slick-stone.1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (1680) 85 Some have a way to slick with a Slickstone all the Honours very smooth.1728 E. Smith Compl. Housewife (ed. 2) 133 Make it up into a Paste; slick white Paper, roll your Paste out the thickness of a Crown.1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 379 It is next slicked with a good grit-stone, to take out the wrinkles.1852 C. Morfit Art of Tanning, Currying, & Leather-dressing (1853) 347 It [the leather] is then pared, slicked, and beaten out flat.1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2208/1 Slickers..are used to slick down the curved surfaces of molds after withdrawal of the pattern.

b. transferred. To polish up, make elegant or fine. Also with off, up. Sometimes with derogatory overtones.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > put in order or tidy

redeOE

slick1340

redda1500

prepare1585

spruce1594

rid1599

snod1608

to clear up1762

snug1787

ted1811

tidy1821

side1825

fix1832

to pick up1853

mense1859

straighten1867

square1909

neaten1942

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > make elegant [verb (transitive)]

slick1340

elegantize1798

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > purify or refine

slick1340

filec1400

polishc1400

burnish1526

polite1535

extirpate1548

purify1548

soften1579

purgea1582

refine1592

mellow1593

civilize1596

rarefy1600

incivilize1603

sublimate1624

alembicate1627

chastise1627

sublime1631

calcine1635

gentilize1635

ennoble1636

subtilize1638

deconcoct1655

sublimizea1729

smooth1762

absterge1817

decrassify1855

sandpaper1890

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > look well in [verb (transitive)] > make spruce

spruce1594

smirk1596

spruce1598

sprucify1611

slick1834

titivate1842

zhuzh1970

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 99 He ne heþ none hede of longe ryote of tales y-slyked ne y-rymed.

1340 Ayenbite (1866) 212 Wordes afaited and y-sliked ueleuold.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis Ded. sig. Aij With woordes so fitlye coucht, wyth verses so smoothlye slyckte.

1638 F. Quarles Elegie Dr. Wilson in Divine Poems (rev. ed.) 510 No farre-fetch'd Metaphor shall smooth or slick My ruffled straine.

1834 S. Smith Sel. Lett. Major Jack Downing xxvi. 65 My clothes had got so shabby, I thought I better hire out a few days and get slicked up a little.

1848 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 1st Ser. i. 2 The parson kind o' slicked off sum o' the last varses.

1863 Harper's Mag. June 55/1 He got into Peter's way by attempting..to ‘slick up’ the barn.

1953 R. Lehmann Echoing Grove 187 Stop slicking it up into cheap melodrama.

1973 E.-J. Bahr Nice Neighbourhood iii. 25 I'm going to get her all slicked up in her new outfit from Aunt Joan and show her off.

c. With away or out: To remove by smoothing or polishing.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)] > make smooth and polished or glossy > remove by

slick1639

1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman ii. vi. 116 This Clyster..slicketh away all slimy substance.

1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 386/2 The superfluous moisture and the superficial bloom are now slicked out [with the slicker].

d. intransitive. To smarten or tidy up; also figurative, to brighten up. U.S.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > come into order [verb (intransitive)] > make tidy

slick1841

to pick up1853

the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > have pleasing appearance [verb (intransitive)] > to smarten up

slick1841

1841 Knickerbocker 17 41 In a little while he recovered his self-possession, or, to make use of one of his own expressions ‘he slicked up’.

1842 C. M. Kirkland Forest Life I. xxx. 240 The beaux..who could not perceive why Car'lene Hay should ‘slick up’.

1887 M. E. Wilkins Humble Romance 395 I'm going to slick up here a little for you while I stay... He watched her..as she flew about putting things to rights.

1898 A. Nicholas Idyl of Wabash 6 It's certainly a dreadful shame they don't slick up more when they go to meeting.

1948 Family Circle June 96/2 It's always serious when they slick up for a girl!

†2.

a. To make specious or plausible. Also absol., to use specious language. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > have an appearance of, dissemble [verb (intransitive)] > talk speciously

slickc1250

paintc1450

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > present speciously [verb (transitive)] > make plausible

slickc1250

c1250 Owl & Night. 841 Alle þine wordes beoþ isliked,.. Þat alle..weneþ þat þu segge soþ.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 351 For so wel can ther noman slyke.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 365 He can so wel hise wordes slyke To putte awey suspecioun.

†b. To flatter, treat pleasantly. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > flatter [verb (transitive)]

flatter?c1225

flackera1250

slickc1250

blandishc1305

blandc1315

glozec1330

beflatter1340

curryc1394

elkena1400

glaverc1400

anointa1425

glotherc1480

losenge1480

painta1513

to hold in halsc1560

soothe1580

smooth1584

smooth1591

soothe1601

pepper1654

palp1657

smoothify1694

butter1700

asperse1702

palaver1713

blarney1834

sawder1834

soft-soap1835

to cock up1838

soft-solder1838

soother1842

behoney1845

soap1853

beslaver1861

beslobber1868

smarm1902

sugar1923

sweetmouth1948

smooth-talk1950

c1250 Long Life 43 in Old Eng. Misc. 158 Ȝef þe world wið weole þe slikeð Þat is for to do þe wo.

3. To make (the skin, hair, etc.) sleek or glossy, esp. by some special treatment.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautify (the person) [verb (intransitive)] > make smooth and sleek

slicka1300

the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautify (the person) [verb (transitive)] > make smooth and sleek

slicka1300

sleek1508

a1300 Cursor Mundi 28026 Yee leuedis..Quen yee yow-self sua slight and slike, Yee sai þat men you wille besuike.

1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 98 To sitten and soupen..Tyl sleuth and slepe slyken his sides.

1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. viii. 181 No face painted, no skinned slicked, no countrefeicte countenaunce.

c1570 J. Jeffere Bugbears i. iii He is coombed and slicked and wasshed.

1593 A. Munday tr. C. Estienne Def. Contraries sig. d3 Oftentimes they..rub slick, chafe and washe themselues, only to seeme faire.

1613 F. Beaumont Knight of Burning Pestle ii. sig. E2 A gentle Squire..Who will our Palfries slicke with wisps of straw.

1620 F. Quarles Feast for Wormes sig. G3^v Nor Stayes to bathe his weather-beaten ioynts, Nor smooth'd his countenance, nor slick't his skinne.

1838 W. Holloway Gen. Dict. Provincialisms To slick, to comb, or make sleek, the hair.

1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. xiii. 98 Slicks down his long hair, and rubs his oiled limbs to a polish.

absolute.1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas Epil. They neuer stande content,..But paint and slicke til fayrest face be foule.

4. colloquial. (See quot. 1860.)

ΚΠ

1860 Slang Dict. 218 Slick,..as a verb,..has the force of ‘to despatch rapidly’, turn off, get done with a thing.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

slickadv.

Brit.

/slɪk/, U.S.

/slɪk/

Etymology: < slick adj.

Originally U.S.

1. Smartly, cleverly; easily; quickly.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb]

lighteOE

eathOE

eathlyc1000

wellc1325

easilyc1384

easy1400

mackly1440

of light?c1450

facilely1490

facile1524

handsomely1538

eaths1594

simply1681

unproblematically1771

slick1825

the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adverb] > skilfully or adroitly

slylyc1275

sly1370

featly1436

addresslya1500

sleightly?c1510

clean1531

trickly1542

neatlya1547

trick1564

cleanly1583

cleverly1654

clever1664

adroitly1695

adeptly1804

slick1825

shrewdly1851

cleverishly1881

slickly1893

niftily1901

eptly1974

1825 H. W. Longfellow Let. 7 Feb. in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) I. v. 59 They manage things there so slick that the college saves annually three thousand dollars!

1836 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 1st Ser. iii. 11 A woman's tongue goes so slick of itself..that it's no easy matter to put a spring stop on it.

1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal II. iv. 55 I'll just take a hurried look round and be back again slick.

2. As an intensive: Right, clean; completely.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly

allOE

outlyOE

thwert-outc1175

skerea1225

thoroughc1225

downrightc1275

purec1300

purelyc1300

faira1325

finelyc1330

quitec1330

quitelyc1330

utterlyc1374

outerlya1382

plainlya1382

straighta1387

allutterly1389

starkc1390

oultrelya1393

plata1393

barec1400

outrightc1400

incomparablyc1422

absolutely?a1425

simpliciter?a1425

staringa1425

quitementa1450

properlyc1450

directly1455

merec1475

incomparable1482

preciselyc1503

clean?1515

cleara1522

plain1535

merely1546

stark1553

perfectly1555

right-down1566

simply1574

flat1577

flatly1577

skire1581

plumb1588

dead?1589

rankly1590

stark1593

sheera1600

start1599

handsmooth1600

peremptory1601

sheerly1601

rank1602

utter1619

point-blank1624

proofa1625

peremptorily1626

downrightly1632

right-down1646

solid1651

clever1664

just1668

hollow1671

entirely1673

blank1677

even down1677

cleverly1696

uncomparatively1702

subtly1733

point1762

cussed1779

regularly1789

unqualifiedly1789

irredeemably1790

positively1800

cussedly1802

heart1812

proper1816

slick1818

blankly1822

bang1828

smack1828

pluperfectly1831

unmitigatedly1832

bodaciously1833

unredeemedly1835

out of sight1839

bodacious1845

regular1846

thoroughly1846

ingrainedly1869

muckinga1880

fucking1893

motherless1898

self1907

stone1928

sideways1956

terminally1974

1818 H. B. Fearon Sketches Amer. 123 Did she die slick right away?

1832 T. B. Macaulay Let. 6 July in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. v. 259 A Yankee has written to me... I guess I must answer him slick right away.

1840 W. M. Thackeray Shabby Genteel Story iii I was right slick up over head and ears in love with her at once.

1900 F. T. Pollok & W. S. Thom Wild Sports Burma & Assam vi. 210 I..imagined they had bolted slick away.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

n.¹1626

n.²1683

adj.?a1366

v.a1225

adv.1818

单词	slick
释义	slickn.¹ Brit. /slɪk/, U.S. /slɪk/ Etymology: < slick adj. or slick v. 1. †a. A cosmetic, an unguent. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the skin or complexion > [noun] > preparations for the skin or complexion > unguents or moisturizers oil of talc1582 slick1626 cold cream1709 cream1765 amandin1861 face cream1889 skin food1892 skin cream1894 orange-flower skin food1908 violet cream1912 day cream1915 vanishing cream1916 night cream1926 orange skin food1926 baby oil1930 hormone cream1938 moisture cream1957 moisturizer1957 mousse1971 1626 J. Florio et al. tr. T. Boccalini New-found Politicke iii. xvii. 233 My face..is done ouer with Ladies licks, slicks, and other painting stuffe of the Levant. b. Carpentry. (See quot. 1875.) ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > cutting tool > chisel > [noun] > for cutting wood gouge1495 former1530 ripping-chisel1659 firming chisel1799 framing chisel1829 slick1875 turning-chisel1877 1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2208 Slick, a wide-bitted chisel, used by framers in paring the sides of mortises and tenons. c. An implement used for slicking; a slicker. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > other specific types of equipment > [noun] > scraper scrapple1354 grate14.. scraper1552 grater1580 slick1883 duck-bill1911 1883 Archaeologia Cantiana 15 103 I have..discovered..some elegant slicks or scrapers of peculiar form. 1883 Archaeologia Cantiana 15 103 When trimmed on one side only, such a flake [of flint] was used as a scraper or slick. †2. Cards. (See quot. 1674.) Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card-sharping or cheating > [noun] > methods of palm1664 high game1665 palming1671 slick1674 brief1680 gammoning1700 shoulder-dash1711 bridge1773 weaving1803 bridging1843 palmistry1859 slipping1864 stocking1887 big mitt1903 1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (1680) 94 The Slick is when before-hand the Gamester takes a Pack of Cards, and with a slick-stone smooths all the Putt-Cards. 1711 J. Puckle Club (1817) 23 The bent, the slick, the breef, the spur. 3. a. Originally U.S. A smooth place or streak on the surface of water, usually caused by the presence of some oily or greasy substance. spec. A floating mass of oil. Also transferred. (Cf. sleek n.³) ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > water > body of water > [noun] > surface of > smooth place on sleek1840 slick1849 the world > matter > constitution of matter > oiliness or greasiness > [noun] > oiliness > oil > film of on water sleek1840 slick1849 oil slick1887 oil patch1918 sheen1970 the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > pollution or defilement > environmental pollution > [noun] > oil pollution oil slick1887 oil pollution1922 oil spill1934 oiling1937 slick1938 oilberg1966 1849 D. Webster Private Corr. II. 333 You have seen on the surface of the sea, those smooth places, which fishermen and sailors call ‘slicks’. a1862 H. D. Thoreau Maine Woods (1864) iii. 172 I emptied the melted pork..into the lake, making what sailors call a ‘slick’. 1888 G. B. Goode Amer. Fishes 210 They..leave in their track similar ‘slicks’ of oil and blood. 1889 Cent. Mag. Mar. 710/2 It had..formed an 950oil-slick thirty feet to windward. 1938 Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Va.) 30 July 1/8 The slick..caused by oil from the ‘Hawaii Clipper’. 1950 Jrnl. Marine Res. 9 69 Artificial slicks form in harbor waters contaminated with refuse and oil. 1973 Daily Tel. 9 Mar. (Colour Suppl.) 12/2 You can see the mouse-run quite clearly because of the slick of oil which all rodents leave behind on walls and floors if they regularly move along a particular route. 1982 H. Innes Black Tide ii. i. 28 The slick now stretched in a great smooth, brown, greasy layer right across the bay. b. Mining. (See quot. 1883.) ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > structure of the earth > structural features > thin layer > [noun] > separating strata seam1592 lissena1641 parting1708 stripe1799 slick1883 seamlet1891 1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining 225 Slicks, smooth partings or mere planes of division in strata. c. A place on the hair or fur of an animal which has been made sleek by licking or the like. ΚΠ 1891 in Cent. Dict. 4. A dash or stroke. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > [noun] > stroke of pen or brush draughtc1305 hand1567 trait1589 hair-stroke1634 masterstroke1679 stroke1815 slick1881 1881 E. Coxon Basil Plant II. 226 ‘Isn't it wonderful?’ said one, ‘painted with just two slicks of the brush’. 5. U.S. A wild, unbranded horse, cow, or other range animal; a maverick. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > member of livestock > unbranded slick1890 slick ear1914 1890 Stock Grower & Farmer 12 July 6/3 Seven of them were branded, the remainder were ‘slicks’, or horses which had run wild from birth. 1934 in J. A. & A. Lomax Amer. Ballads xvi. 411 No maverick or slick will be tallied In that great book of life in His home. 1965 G. Shepherd West of Yesterday xiv. 127 By picking up slicks or unbranded cattle on the way—gathered a nice little herd. 6. U.S. An expensive or ‘glossy’ magazine (opposed to pulp magazine n. at pulp n. Compounds 2). ΘΚΠ society > communication > journalism > journal > periodical > [noun] > other periodicals annals1763 scientific journal1797 story paper1849 woman's magazine1868 woman's mag1887 house journal1912 film magazine1916 digest1922 fan magazine1928 pulp magazine1929 confession magazine1931 slick1934 glossy1945 trade1949 photonovel1967 1934 Writer Mar. 73/2 Perhaps he [sc. the author] gets an offer for two hundred dollars from one of the ‘slicks’. 1953 S. Kauffmann Philanderer iv. 65 We're going to change one of our present magazines—from a confession to a woman's slick. 1958 Manch. Guardian 26 Sept. 4/3 Jack Finney's stories, which have been popular in the better American slicks, point the trend all the more for not all being science fiction. 1977 Transatlantic Rev. No. 60. 57 One will keep on about ‘the slicks’ he wants to write for. 7. a. A smooth tyre used on various kinds of racing vehicle. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > racing with vehicles > motor racing > [noun] > racing car > tyre slick1959 society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > vehicles according to means of motion > vehicle moving on wheels > [noun] > parts of vehicle moving on wheels > wheel > rubber or pneumatic tyre > types of sidewall1901 non-skid1905 retread1909 remould1928 recap1929 knobbly1938 knobby1943 whitewall1950 slick1959 bias-ply1964 radial1964 cross-ply1965 snow1968 Pennsylvania cap1971 wet1977 1959 Wall St. Jrnl. 11 Aug. 1/4 Both Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and General Tire & Rubber Co. have jumped into the business..developing and building ‘slicks’—smooth racing tires—for the little vehicles. 1965 Daily Mail 2 Oct. 5/7 The slicks (smooth, £20-a-piece racing tyres) burst into smoke and then into flame. 1978 ‘D. Rutherford’ Collision Course 56 Everybody had fitted ‘slicks’, the smooth treadless tyres used on dry roads. b. (See quots.) ΘΚΠ society > travel > air or space travel > a means of conveyance through the air > rotary wing aircraft > [noun] > helicopter or gyrocopter > type of small scooter1953 slick1969 1969 I. Kemp Brit. G.I. in Vietnam iii. 45 The ‘slicks’—small Huey helicopters—would fly the troops to the battle zone, while the larger Chinooks brought in their heavy equipment. 1974 N. Meyer Target Pract. (1975) v. 61 We were lifted by choppers called ‘Hueys’ (or ‘slicks’, because they land on runners instead of wheels). 8. U.S. slang. A clever or smart person; a cheat or swindler. Cf. slicker n. 3; slickster n. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [noun] clever-boots1847 smarty1847 smart alec1864 clever-clogs1866 clever-sides1886 clever Dick1895 wise guy1896 wisenheimer1904 smarty-pants1935 quiz kid1940 smart apple1940 smarty-boots1950 smart-ass1958 slick1959 clever-sticks1964 smart-arse1965 wise-ass1971 the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > thief > defrauder or swindler > [noun] feature14.. frauderc1475 prowler1519 lurcher1528 defrauder1552 frauditor1553 taker-upc1555 verserc1555 fogger1564 Jack-in-the-box1570 gilenyer1590 foist1591 rutter1591 crossbiter1592 sharker1594 shark1600 bat-fowler1602 cheater1606 foister1610 operator1611 fraudsman1613 projector1615 smoke-sellera1618 decoy1618 firkera1626 scandaroon1631 snapa1640 cunning shaver1652 knight of industrya1658 chouse1658 cheat1664 sharper1681 jockey1683 rooker1683 fool-finder1685 rookster1697 sheep-shearer1699 bubbler1720 gyp1728 bite1742 swindler1770 pigeon1780 mace1781 gouger1790 needle1790 fly-by-night1796 sharp1797 skinner1797 diddler1803 mace cove1811 mace-gloak1819 macer1819 flat-catcher1821 moonlight wanderer1823 burner1838 Peter Funk1840 Funk1842 pigeoner1849 maceman1850 bester1856 fiddler1857 highway robber1874 bunco-steerer1875 swizzler1876 forty1879 flim-flammer1881 chouser1883 take-down1888 highbinder1890 fraud1895 Sam Slick1897 grafter1899 come-on1905 verneuker1905 gypster1917 chiseller1918 tweedler1925 rorter1926 gazumper1932 chizzer1935 sharpie1942 sharpster1942 slick1959 slickster1965 rip-off artist1968 shonky1970 rip-off merchant1971 1959 N. Mailer Advts. for Myself (1961) i. 28 To try a major novel about the last war in Europe without a sense of the past is to fail in the worst way—as an over~ambitious and opportunistic slick. 1970 R. D. Abrahams Positively Black iv. 88 These stories commonly turn on some way in which the ‘slick’ manages to trick the white storekeeper ‘Mr. Charlie’ into giving him respect and service. 1971 E. Bullins in W. King Black Short Story Anthol. (1972) 76 Dandy's mother had a civil-service job in the city, and the city slick Dandy was from Philly. 1973 T. Kochman Rappin' & Stylin' Out 162 Other operators on the street who are looking for a chance to ‘whup’ (Chicago) or ‘run’ (Los Angeles, New York) ‘a game’ (trick someone out of some money) are known as ‘slicks’ or ‘slicksters’. Compounds slick-licker n. Canadian colloquial an apparatus for removing oil floating as a slick. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > oil and natural gas recovery equipment > [noun] > equipment for clearing oil slicks slick-licker1970 skimmer1971 1970 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 7 May 4 (caption) Slick~lickers—barges in Nova Scotia's Chedabucto Bay designed to suck in oil off the water's surface from the wrecked tanker Arrow and transfer it to 45-gallon drums. 1972 Daily Colonist (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 12 Feb. 9/5 The federal transport department has placed a $150,000 order for 22 slicklicker machines... The machine..picks up oil from water surfaces by using an endless belt that has been treated chemically. 1975 Lamp (Exxon Corporation) Winter 24/1 Imperial Oil Limited, Exxon Corporation's Canadian affiliate, is employing a ‘slicklicker’ to counter the menace of oil spills on water. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022). slickn.² Brit. /slɪk/, U.S. /slɪk/ Origin: A borrowing from German. Etymon: German Schlich. Etymology: < German Schlich (see slike n.). Compare slightly earlier schlich n. Mining. Now rare. Finely crushed metallic ore. Also attributive in slick gold. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > mineral material > ore > [noun] > crushed ore knock-bark1653 schlich1677 slick1683 sludge1757 slime1758 pulp1837 debris1871 slum1874 1683 J. Pettus tr. L. Ercker ii. iii. 113 in Fleta Minor i Of Gold Slicks. Further, know also that when the Gold Oars and Gold Slicks are cleansed for to quicken [etc.]. 1868 W. A. Goodyear tr. T. Bodemann & B. Kerl Treat. Assaying Lead, Copper, Silver 40 It is assumed that if the quantities of lead and silver in the slick from which the slimes came are known, the quantity of lead will bear the same ratio in the slime as in the slick, to the quantity of silver. 1892 Pall Mall Gaz. 8 Aug. 7/2 There were produced in Russia..in 1881, 2,382 poods (of 36 lb.) of slick-gold. 1983 Ecol. Bull. No. 35. 328 Dust gold is dissolved in amino acids 10–30 times faster than slick gold. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). slickadj. Brit. /slɪk/, U.S. /slɪk/ Forms: α. Middle English–1500s slyke (Middle English slyk), slike. β. 1500s slycke, 1500s–1600s slicke, 1500s– slick. Etymology: Middle English slĭke (developing into slick and sleek adj. and adv.), probably representing an Old English slice , related to the verb slician* (see slick v.) and perhaps cognate with Middle Flemish sleec , sleic (see sleek n.¹) An apparent Old English slíc given in Dictionaries is the result of a misreading: see Napier Contrib. O.E. Lexicogr. 57–58. Slykker in Palsgrave 324/1 is probably a misprint for slykke. Now chiefly dialect and U.S. 1. Of skin, hair, etc.: Smooth, glossy, sleek. Also, of a surface: slippery (chiefly U.S.). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > [adjective] > neat or trim > sleek slick?a1366 smug1582 sleek1829 the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > [adjective] > smooth and slippery slippera1050 slibbery?c1225 slidderya1250 slidder1398 lubric1490 slid1513 slippery1551 icy?1552 slipperous1585 glib1594 gliding1594 slicked1594 glibbery1601 lubrical1602 slape1671 slithery1825 slithy1855 butter-smooth1868 slick1901 α. ?a1366 Romaunt Rose 542 Hir flesh tendre as is a chike, With bent browis, smothe and slyke. c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 351 If the Cattes skyn be slyk and gay, She wol nat dwelle in house half a day. a1425 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Galba) l. 28026 When ȝe to sight haue made ȝow slike þan say ȝe men will ȝow biswike. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 459/1 Slyke, or smothe, lenis. a1470 Dives & Pauper (1496) x. vi. 379/2 The basynet..is clene fur~busshed from ruste, and made slyke and smothe that shot may soone glyde of. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 35 Lyke the..adder..His tayle smoog thirling, slyke breast to Titan vpheauing. 1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. G3 A skin as slike and soft as the backe of a swan. β. 1549 T. Chaloner tr. Erasmus Praise of Folie sig. Bj This other with the slicke skinne and fayre fedde bodie is called Delicacie.1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 21 A deft conceite, a slicke forhead, a smugg countenaunce.1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman i. ii. 8 Her hayre more slicke and close to her skin.1653 T. Gataker Vindic. Annot. Jer. 10.2 137 A prone and plain path..not slick and smooth onely, but even steep and slipperie.1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo Comical Wks. (1709) 335 He is all slick with Grease without.1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Peach-Tree Those Peaches which are not slick, ought to be but indifferently hairy.1841 C. H. Hartshorne Salopia Antiqua Gloss. Slick,..smooth, shining.1880 ‘M. Twain’ Tramp Abroad xiii. 101 It struck that hard, slick, carpetless floor.1901 A. H. Rice Mrs. Wiggs of Cabbage Patch xi. 143 When the floor was dry and the candle sprinkled over it, Australia and Europena were detailed to slide upon it until it became slick.1936 M. Mitchell Gone with the Wind xxxv. 590 The horse..plodded off, picking its way carefully down the slick road.1979 C. Freeman Portraits (1980) vi. 31 The streets were covered with a white blanket of snow and ice so slick it was almost impossible for him to walk.1981 Railway Mag. Mar. 115/3 No. 765 [sc. a steam locomotive] was true to her breed, losing her footing temporarily on the slick rails as she fought for adhesion.in extended use.1679 The Confinement 49 More soft than a slick Gale, From Mountains top blown o're the flowry vale. 2. a. Of animals, etc.: Sleek in hair or skin; plump; well-conditioned. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > [adjective] > of health: good > healthy looking quick?c1225 freshc1380 slickc1440 well-hueda1500 sleek1638 jollya1661 sonsy1720 sleekyc1725 well-looking1725 clean-run1881 the world > animals > animal body > general parts > covering or skin > [adjective] > having a coat > glossy slickc1440 sleekyc1725 sleekish1850 c1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 689 In dayes thries x, let make hem [sc. chickens] slyke And faat ynough. 1599 T. Moffett Silkewormes 74 How a louer wise Delighteth more to touch Astarte slick Then Hecuba. ?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads ii. 680 The brauest mares..Both slicke and daintie. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 99 Meal of Garavance, which fattens all their Beasts of War, and makes them slick and fine. 1740 W. Somervile Hobbinol iii. 287 As the slick Lev'ret skims before the Pack. 1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. iv. 27 All of them selected as the fattest and slickest of the herd. b. Of range animals: unbranded, wild. U.S. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > domestic animal > [adjective] > of livestock > unbranded slick1955 1955 R. P. Hobson Nothing too Good for Cowboy xvii. 181 The pounding of slick horses hitting across the range. 1973 R. D. Symons Where Wagon Led i. iii. 39 Then brand everything that's ‘slick’—provided you know they're off your own mares. 3. Smooth; plausible; = sleek adj. and adv. 3 (Of persons or things personified.) See also sense 4 below.For a doubtful example see Havelok 1157. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective] ficklinga1240 glozing1297 blandingc1315 blandishingc1374 glaveringc1394 fleering?a1400 sleekedc1400 faginga1425 smoothc1450 flattering1484 cogging1542 flatterous1546 butterya1585 smooth-tongueda1593 oily1598 silken1598 slick-tongued1598 soothing1599 sleek1601 slick1606 blandiloquous1615 supellectile1615 colloguing1620 losengeous1632 oiled-tongued1632 daubing1655 blandiloquious1689 smooth-booted1706 palavering1764 pill-gilding1764 oily-tongued1788 buttering1789 sleeky1810 smooth-spoken1821 oleaginous1833 butteraceous1837 saponaceous1837 soft-soapy1849 soapy1854 blarneying1884 smarmy1924 sweet-talking1956 smoothie1959 smarming1970 blandiloquent- 1606 No-body & Some-body sig. I2^v Smoth spaniel, soothing grome Slicke Oyly knaue, egregious parasite. 1640 T. Rawlins Rebellion iv. i. sig. F4 Whilst slicke Favonious playes the fawning slave. 1692 in B. Jonson Cynthias Revels (rev. ed.) i. ii. 37 in Wks. Slick Flattery and she Are twin-born Sisters. 1848 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 1st Ser. iv. 52 To the people they're ollers ez slick er molasses. 1876 J. G. Holland Story of Sevenoaks (new ed.) xx. 282 I hate a slick man. 1936 W. H. Auden & C. Isherwood Ascent of F6 (1937) i. i. 17 Evening. A slick and unctuous Time Has sold us yet another shop-soiled day. 4. Adroit, deft, quick, smart; skilful in action or execution. Also (merging with sense 3), glibly clever, having easy assurance. (Of persons.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adjective] > skilful or adroit hendc1275 happya1400 clean1485 habile1485 practivea1500 feat1519 well-handeda1529 handsome1542 trick1542 neat1571 dexterous1622 adroit1652 right-handeda1661 artful1663 nitle1673 ambidextrousa1682 clever1716 jemmy1751 slick1807 sleek1822 cleverish1826 featy1844 two-handed1861 nifty1889 mean1918 organized1926 ept1938 the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > sharpness, shrewdness, insight > would-be clever person > [adjective] smarty1850 smart alec1877 clever-clever1896 wise guy1920 slick1921 smarty-pants1932 wisenheimer1937 smart-ass1951 smart-assed1957 smart-arsed1962 smarty-boots1962 smart-arse1965 wise-assed1967 wise-ass1971 1807 Lancaster (Pa.) Jrnl. 16 Oct. 3/1 You are getting too slick. What a charming thing it is to see men under good discipline. 1818 H. B. Fearon Sketches Amer. 5 I have been slick in going to the stand right away. 1830 J. Galt Lawrie Todd II. iv. ii. 19 I ain't..slick at the gruelling of sick folks. 1893 J. H. McCarthy Red Diamonds I. 43 I had been a pretty slick voyager in my time. 1921 E. O'Neill Diff'rent i, in Emperor Jones 213 Jim Benson's one o' them slick jokers, same's Jack; can't keep their mouths shet or mind their own business. 1951 M. McLuhan Mech. Bride 141/2 The slick-chick and the corporation executive, as they now register on the popular imagination, are already inside the totem machine. 1953 R. Lehmann Echoing Grove 155 Give her a pen and she cannot be trusted not to express herself in clichés, like a schoolgirl with a smear of the popular slick journalist. 1966 ‘J. Hackston’ Father clears Out 98 The rest of our local colour was made up of a community of slick, quick-off-the-mark jumpers. 5. First-class, excellent; neat, in good order; smart, efficient, that operates smoothly; superficially attractive, glibly clever. (Of things, actions, etc.) ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > advantage > efficacy > [adjective] frameeOE goodeOE mightyOE vailanta1325 sicker1338 mightful1340 suffisant1340 virtuousa1387 effectivea1398 effectuala1398 worthya1398 availingc1420 effectuous?a1425 operant?a1425 substantialc1449 virtual?a1475 substantious1483 available1502 efficacious1528 energial1528 working1532 operatory1551 operatoriousa1555 stately1567 feckful1568 efficace?1572 shifty1585 operative1590 instrumental1601 efficable1607 speeding1612 effectuating1615 officious1618 availsome1619 prevailable1624 valid1651 perficient1659 affectuous1664 implemental1676 virtual1760 efficient1787 sufficient1831 slick1833 roadworthy1837 practician1863 positive1903 performant1977 the world > relative properties > order > [adjective] > tidy queemc1450 trig1513 trimc1521 neat1594 polite1602 terse1602 unlittered1612 ship-shape1644 snod1717 tight1720 redd1753 (as) neat (also clean) as a (new) pin1769 mack1825 tidy1828 slick1833 ship-shapely1843 trimly1858 taut1870 the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] faireOE bremea1000 goodlyOE goodfulc1275 noblec1300 pricec1300 specialc1325 gentlec1330 fine?c1335 singulara1340 thrivena1350 thriven and throa1350 gaya1375 properc1380 before-passinga1382 daintiful1393 principala1398 gradelya1400 burlyc1400 daintyc1400 thrivingc1400 voundec1400 virtuousc1425 hathelc1440 curiousc1475 singlerc1500 beautiful1502 rare?a1534 gallant1539 eximious1547 jolly1548 egregious?c1550 jellyc1560 goodlike1562 brawc1565 of worth1576 brave?1577 surprising1580 finger-licking1584 admirablea1586 excellinga1586 ambrosial1598 sublimated1603 excellent1604 valiant1604 fabulous1609 pure1609 starryc1610 topgallant1613 lovely1614 soaringa1616 twanging1616 preclarent1623 primea1637 prestantious1638 splendid1644 sterling1647 licking1648 spankinga1666 rattling1690 tearing1693 famous1695 capital1713 yrare1737 pure and —1742 daisy1757 immense1762 elegant1764 super-extra1774 trimming1778 grand1781 gallows1789 budgeree1793 crack1793 dandy1794 first rate1799 smick-smack1802 severe1805 neat1806 swell1810 stamming1814 divine1818 great1818 slap-up1823 slapping1825 high-grade1826 supernacular1828 heavenly1831 jam-up1832 slick1833 rip-roaring1834 boss1836 lummy1838 flash1840 slap1840 tall1840 high-graded1841 awful1843 way up1843 exalting1844 hot1845 ripsnorting1846 clipping1848 stupendous1848 stunning1849 raving1850 shrewd1851 jammy1853 slashing1854 rip-staving1856 ripping1858 screaming1859 up to dick1863 nifty1865 premier cru1866 slap-bang1866 clinking1868 marvellous1868 rorty1868 terrific1871 spiffing1872 all wool and a yard wide1882 gorgeous1883 nailing1883 stellar1883 gaudy1884 fizzing1885 réussi1885 ding-dong1887 jim-dandy1888 extra-special1889 yum-yum1890 out of sight1891 outasight1893 smooth1893 corking1895 large1895 super1895 hot dog1896 to die for1898 yummy1899 deevy1900 peachy1900 hi1901 v.g.1901 v.h.c.1901 divvy1903 doozy1903 game ball1905 goodo1905 bosker1906 crackerjack1910 smashinga1911 jake1914 keen1914 posh1914 bobby-dazzling1915 juicy1916 pie on1916 jakeloo1919 snodger1919 whizz-bang1920 wicked1920 four-star1921 wow1921 Rolls-Royce1922 whizz-bang1922 wizard1922 barry1923 nummy1923 ripe1923 shrieking1926 crazy1927 righteous1930 marvy1932 cool1933 plenty1933 brahmaa1935 smoking1934 solid1935 mellow1936 groovy1937 tough1937 bottler1938 fantastic1938 readyc1938 ridge1938 super-duper1938 extraordinaire1940 rumpty1940 sharp1940 dodger1941 grouse1941 perfecto1941 pipperoo1945 real gone1946 bosting1947 supersonic1947 whizzo1948 neato1951 peachy-keen1951 ridgey-dite1953 ridgy-didge1953 top1953 whizzing1953 badass1955 wild1955 belting1956 magic1956 bitching1957 swinging1958 ridiculous1959 a treat1959 fab1961 bad-assed1962 uptight1962 diggish1963 cracker1964 marv1964 radical1964 bakgat1965 unreal1965 pearly1966 together1968 safe1970 bad1971 brilliant1971 fabby1971 schmick1972 butt-kicking1973 ripper1973 Tiffany1973 bodacious1976 rad1976 kif1978 awesome1979 death1979 killer1979 fly1980 shiok1980 stonking1980 brill1981 dope1981 to die1982 mint1982 epic1983 kicking1983 fabbo1984 mega1985 ill1986 posho1989 pukka1991 lovely jubbly1992 awesomesauce2001 nang2002 bess2006 amazeballs2009 boasty2009 daebak2009 beaut2013 the world > action or operation > [adjective] > operating smoothly well-running1697 well-operated1847 slick1927 1833 Jamestown (N.Y.) Jrnl. 25 Sept. 2/1 Of all the inventions I've hearn on of Mr. Van Buren's, this is about the slickest. 1837 Baltimore Commercial Transcript 4 Sept. 2/3 Prudence guessed strawberries and cream were slick. Jonathan thought they wa'nt so slick as Pru's lips. 1838 B. Drake Tales & Sketches 30 Well, now, that's right down slick, anyhow. 1840 C. F. Hoffman Greyslaer II. xii. 58 Add the salt and pepper fixings, and the king himself hasn't a slicker supper. 1860 J. G. Holland Miss Gilbert's Career viii. 131 I love to see a young man that keeps things slick around him. 1866 in J. E. Brogden Provinc. Words Lincs. 1891 Fur, Fin & Feather Mar. 169 They reckons to make mighty slick work in cleaning everything up on the way back. 1891 Cent. Mag. Mar. 658 All that was really done was to..see that everything was slick. 1901 W. Churchill Crisis I. xii. 104 ‘You'd die laughing, Lige, to hear how he did it.’ ‘Some slickness, I'll gamble,’ grunted Captain Lige. ‘Well, I reckon 'twas slick.’ 1904 W. H. Smith Promoters i. 19 I've seen the thing done a hundred times, with a slick word every time. 1905 M^cClure's Mag. June 121/1 ‘They certainly gave us a slick time,’ said the lad. ‘Why our dinner cost nine dollars! 1911 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republ. 3 Aug. 9 A bellboy, slight of stature, slick of attire. 1920 E. O'Neill Beyond Horizon i. ii. 35 ‘He'll make this one of the slickest, best-payin' farms in the state.’.. ‘Seems to me it's a pretty slick place right now.’ 1921 J. Galsworthy To Let 286 He could not go on staying here, walled in and sheltered, with everything so slick and comfortable. 1927 New Republic 12 Oct. 218/2 His dialogue is of that slick and well oiled kind that you may meet in good vaudeville or in the Saturday Evening Post. 1931 E. F. Benson Mapp & Lucia i. 18 Let us practise that scene where I knight you. We must get it very slick. 1933 E. O'Neill Ah, Wilderness! iii. i. 95 How was that for a slick way of getting rid of him? 1940 M. V. Hughes London Family between Wars xii. 157 America.., with its slick, fervid haste and its terrifying efficiency. 1958 Woman 22 Feb. 23/3 That's what ‘Six-Five Special’ does to you!.. We must admit that it's about the slickest light show on TV today. 1972 E. H. Gombrich Story of Art (ed. 12) xxvi. 439 He had more and more become convinced that art was in danger of becoming slick and superficial. 1978 Electronics & Power Nov.–Dec. 824/1 When that [sc. the robbing of banks] became difficult we went for the cash in transit, until the professionals got their drill so slick that the game was not worth the candle. 1978 Lancashire Life Oct. 155/2 The Accord four-door I drove had a slick, finger-light, five-speed manual gearbox with a well chosen set of ratios. 1979 Church Times 6 July 16/5 I will scrap Series Three And invent something slicker. How grand to be free—A real alive Vicar! Compounds C1. slick-faced, slick-haired, slick-tongued. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > [adjective] ficklinga1240 glozing1297 blandingc1315 blandishingc1374 glaveringc1394 fleering?a1400 sleekedc1400 faginga1425 smoothc1450 flattering1484 cogging1542 flatterous1546 butterya1585 smooth-tongueda1593 oily1598 silken1598 slick-tongued1598 soothing1599 sleek1601 slick1606 blandiloquous1615 supellectile1615 colloguing1620 losengeous1632 oiled-tongued1632 daubing1655 blandiloquious1689 smooth-booted1706 palavering1764 pill-gilding1764 oily-tongued1788 buttering1789 sleeky1810 smooth-spoken1821 oleaginous1833 butteraceous1837 saponaceous1837 soft-soapy1849 soapy1854 blarneying1884 smarmy1924 sweet-talking1956 smoothie1959 smarming1970 blandiloquent- 1598 G. Chapman in C. Marlowe & G. Chapman Hero & Leander (new ed.) iii. sig. G3^v Slick-tongde fame patcht vp with voyces rude. 1598 G. Chapman tr. Homer Seauen Bks. Iliades vii. 123 You slicke hayrd louer: you that hunt, and fleere at wenches so. a1687 C. Cotton Poems (1689) 232 The slick-fac'd School-boy Sachel takes. 1879– in Eng. Dial. Dict. (Slick-faced, -tongued). C2. slick ear n. U.S. = slick n.¹ 5; also figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > domestic animal > [noun] > livestock > member of livestock > unbranded slick1890 slick ear1914 1914 World's Work XXVII. 447/1 Any ‘slick-ear’ (steer not marked on the ears or branded) found on the range about which inquiry was made was promptly assigned to his ownership, and ‘slick-ears’ eventually became known as ‘mavericks’. 1958 ‘W. Henry’ Seven Men at Mimbres Springs vii. 74 I'd clean forgot the slick-ear son of a bitch! 1966 H. Marriott Cariboo Cowboy iv. 48 Sometimes the cow would die for some reason or another and the calf would be left without a mother, in which case it grew up an orphan calf or a ‘slick-ear’. C3. slick-paper n. U.S. a kind of glossy paper used esp. for printing popular magazines (cf. slick n.¹ 6); usually attributive. Hence slick magazine, slick story. ΘΚΠ society > communication > printing > paper > [adjective] > types of printing paper surfaced1869 slick-paper1930 unburst1961 1930 D. Wilhelm Writing for Profit iv. 102 There are between 100 and 125 pulp-paper magazines alone beside all the illustrated and ‘slick paper’ magazines! 1936 Amer. Mercury XXXVII. 286/2 Occasionally I have put aside two weeks..in which to attempt a slick magazine story. 1949 H. E. Neal Writing & Selling Fact & Fiction ii. 17 The average slick story is divisible into six parts. 1976 National Observer (U.S.) 23 Oct. 22/5 They will come again next year with..their suitcases stuffed with slick~paper brochures full of self-praise. 1980 TWA Ambassador Oct. 82/3 Two distinct genres of regional business publications are trying to serve this market: the tabloid and the slick magazine. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022). slickv. Brit. /slɪk/, U.S. /slɪk/ Forms: α. (Old English slician,) Middle English sliken, Middle English slyken; Middle English–1500s slike, slyke. β. 1500s slycke, slicke, 1500s– slick. Etymology: Old English -slician (in nigslicod ): compare sleek v. It is not clear how this is related to Icelandic slíkja, Norwegian slikja, to be, or to make, sleek. 1. a. transitive. To render smooth or glossy; to polish; to smooth with a slicker. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)] > make smooth and polished or glossy slicka1225 polisha1382 sleekc1440 levigate1617 sleeken1621 slicken1621 conglaciate1656 steel1807 α. a900 Old Eng. Martyrol. 17 Nov. 206 Heo glytenode..swa scynende sunne oððe nigslicod hrægel.] a1225 Legend St. Katherine 1660 Istenet [is] euch strete mid deorewurðe stanes,..isliket & ismaket as eni gles smeðest. c1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesw. in Wright Voc. 172 Ke ele lusche, [that she] slike. c1340 Nominale (Skeat) 158 W[oman] oft with slikeston slikyth. a1626 J. Horsey Relacion Trav. in E. A. Bond Russia at Close of 16th Cent. (1856) 234 Silkes, silver and gold, the threed sliked flat, to illustrat the bewty therof. β. 1558 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli Secretes Alexis of Piemount (1568) 90 b Take a cloute or linnen cloth wete in water, wherwith you shall slycke and make smoth the said tables.1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xvii. xxvi To slick, polish, and smooth them again with the pumy stone.1657 R. Ligon True Hist. Barbados 75 Parchment dyed green, and slickt with a slick-stone.1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester (1680) 85 Some have a way to slick with a Slickstone all the Honours very smooth.1728 E. Smith Compl. Housewife (ed. 2) 133 Make it up into a Paste; slick white Paper, roll your Paste out the thickness of a Crown.1839 A. Ure Dict. Arts 379 It is next slicked with a good grit-stone, to take out the wrinkles.1852 C. Morfit Art of Tanning, Currying, & Leather-dressing (1853) 347 It [the leather] is then pared, slicked, and beaten out flat.1875 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. III. 2208/1 Slickers..are used to slick down the curved surfaces of molds after withdrawal of the pattern. b. transferred. To polish up, make elegant or fine. Also with off, up. Sometimes with derogatory overtones. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > put in (proper) order [verb (transitive)] > put in order or tidy redeOE slick1340 redda1500 prepare1585 spruce1594 rid1599 snod1608 to clear up1762 snug1787 ted1811 tidy1821 side1825 fix1832 to pick up1853 mense1859 straighten1867 square1909 neaten1942 the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > make elegant [verb (transitive)] slick1340 elegantize1798 the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [verb (transitive)] > purify or refine slick1340 filec1400 polishc1400 burnish1526 polite1535 extirpate1548 purify1548 soften1579 purgea1582 refine1592 mellow1593 civilize1596 rarefy1600 incivilize1603 sublimate1624 alembicate1627 chastise1627 sublime1631 calcine1635 gentilize1635 ennoble1636 subtilize1638 deconcoct1655 sublimizea1729 smooth1762 absterge1817 decrassify1855 sandpaper1890 the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > look well in [verb (transitive)] > make spruce spruce1594 smirk1596 spruce1598 sprucify1611 slick1834 titivate1842 zhuzh1970 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 99 He ne heþ none hede of longe ryote of tales y-slyked ne y-rymed. 1340 Ayenbite (1866) 212 Wordes afaited and y-sliked ueleuold. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis Ded. sig. Aij With woordes so fitlye coucht, wyth verses so smoothlye slyckte. 1638 F. Quarles Elegie Dr. Wilson in Divine Poems (rev. ed.) 510 No farre-fetch'd Metaphor shall smooth or slick My ruffled straine. 1834 S. Smith Sel. Lett. Major Jack Downing xxvi. 65 My clothes had got so shabby, I thought I better hire out a few days and get slicked up a little. 1848 J. R. Lowell Biglow Papers 1st Ser. i. 2 The parson kind o' slicked off sum o' the last varses. 1863 Harper's Mag. June 55/1 He got into Peter's way by attempting..to ‘slick up’ the barn. 1953 R. Lehmann Echoing Grove 187 Stop slicking it up into cheap melodrama. 1973 E.-J. Bahr Nice Neighbourhood iii. 25 I'm going to get her all slicked up in her new outfit from Aunt Joan and show her off. c. With away or out: To remove by smoothing or polishing. ΘΚΠ the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > smoothness > make smooth [verb (transitive)] > make smooth and polished or glossy > remove by slick1639 1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman ii. vi. 116 This Clyster..slicketh away all slimy substance. 1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 386/2 The superfluous moisture and the superficial bloom are now slicked out [with the slicker]. d. intransitive. To smarten or tidy up; also figurative, to brighten up. U.S. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > come into order [verb (intransitive)] > make tidy slick1841 to pick up1853 the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > pleasing appearance > have pleasing appearance [verb (intransitive)] > to smarten up slick1841 1841 Knickerbocker 17 41 In a little while he recovered his self-possession, or, to make use of one of his own expressions ‘he slicked up’. 1842 C. M. Kirkland Forest Life I. xxx. 240 The beaux..who could not perceive why Car'lene Hay should ‘slick up’. 1887 M. E. Wilkins Humble Romance 395 I'm going to slick up here a little for you while I stay... He watched her..as she flew about putting things to rights. 1898 A. Nicholas Idyl of Wabash 6 It's certainly a dreadful shame they don't slick up more when they go to meeting. 1948 Family Circle June 96/2 It's always serious when they slick up for a girl! †2. a. To make specious or plausible. Also absol., to use specious language. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > have an appearance of, dissemble [verb (intransitive)] > talk speciously slickc1250 paintc1450 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > dissimulation, pretence > semblance, outward show > present speciously [verb (transitive)] > make plausible slickc1250 c1250 Owl & Night. 841 Alle þine wordes beoþ isliked,.. Þat alle..weneþ þat þu segge soþ. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 351 For so wel can ther noman slyke. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 365 He can so wel hise wordes slyke To putte awey suspecioun. †b. To flatter, treat pleasantly. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > flatter [verb (transitive)] flatter?c1225 flackera1250 slickc1250 blandishc1305 blandc1315 glozec1330 beflatter1340 curryc1394 elkena1400 glaverc1400 anointa1425 glotherc1480 losenge1480 painta1513 to hold in halsc1560 soothe1580 smooth1584 smooth1591 soothe1601 pepper1654 palp1657 smoothify1694 butter1700 asperse1702 palaver1713 blarney1834 sawder1834 soft-soap1835 to cock up1838 soft-solder1838 soother1842 behoney1845 soap1853 beslaver1861 beslobber1868 smarm1902 sugar1923 sweetmouth1948 smooth-talk1950 c1250 Long Life 43 in Old Eng. Misc. 158 Ȝef þe world wið weole þe slikeð Þat is for to do þe wo. 3. To make (the skin, hair, etc.) sleek or glossy, esp. by some special treatment. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautify (the person) [verb (intransitive)] > make smooth and sleek slicka1300 the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautify (the person) [verb (transitive)] > make smooth and sleek slicka1300 sleek1508 a1300 Cursor Mundi 28026 Yee leuedis..Quen yee yow-self sua slight and slike, Yee sai þat men you wille besuike. 1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. ii. 98 To sitten and soupen..Tyl sleuth and slepe slyken his sides. 1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. viii. 181 No face painted, no skinned slicked, no countrefeicte countenaunce. c1570 J. Jeffere Bugbears i. iii He is coombed and slicked and wasshed. 1593 A. Munday tr. C. Estienne Def. Contraries sig. d3 Oftentimes they..rub slick, chafe and washe themselues, only to seeme faire. 1613 F. Beaumont Knight of Burning Pestle ii. sig. E2 A gentle Squire..Who will our Palfries slicke with wisps of straw. 1620 F. Quarles Feast for Wormes sig. G3^v Nor Stayes to bathe his weather-beaten ioynts, Nor smooth'd his countenance, nor slick't his skinne. 1838 W. Holloway Gen. Dict. Provincialisms To slick, to comb, or make sleek, the hair. 1841 G. Catlin Lett. N. Amer. Indians I. xiii. 98 Slicks down his long hair, and rubs his oiled limbs to a polish. absolute.1576 G. Gascoigne Steele Glas Epil. They neuer stande content,..But paint and slicke til fayrest face be foule. 4. colloquial. (See quot. 1860.) ΚΠ 1860 Slang Dict. 218 Slick,..as a verb,..has the force of ‘to despatch rapidly’, turn off, get done with a thing. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online March 2022). slickadv. Brit. /slɪk/, U.S. /slɪk/ Etymology: < slick adj. Originally U.S. 1. Smartly, cleverly; easily; quickly. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] lighteOE eathOE eathlyc1000 wellc1325 easilyc1384 easy1400 mackly1440 of light?c1450 facilely1490 facile1524 handsomely1538 eaths1594 simply1681 unproblematically1771 slick1825 the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [adverb] > skilfully or adroitly slylyc1275 sly1370 featly1436 addresslya1500 sleightly?c1510 clean1531 trickly1542 neatlya1547 trick1564 cleanly1583 cleverly1654 clever1664 adroitly1695 adeptly1804 slick1825 shrewdly1851 cleverishly1881 slickly1893 niftily1901 eptly1974 1825 H. W. Longfellow Let. 7 Feb. in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) I. v. 59 They manage things there so slick that the college saves annually three thousand dollars! 1836 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 1st Ser. iii. 11 A woman's tongue goes so slick of itself..that it's no easy matter to put a spring stop on it. 1882 M. E. Braddon Mt. Royal II. iv. 55 I'll just take a hurried look round and be back again slick. 2. As an intensive: Right, clean; completely. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly allOE allOE outlyOE thwert-outc1175 skerea1225 thoroughc1225 downrightc1275 purec1300 purelyc1300 faira1325 finelyc1330 quitec1330 quitelyc1330 utterlyc1374 outerlya1382 plainlya1382 straighta1387 allutterly1389 starkc1390 oultrelya1393 plata1393 barec1400 outrightc1400 incomparablyc1422 absolutely?a1425 simpliciter?a1425 staringa1425 quitementa1450 properlyc1450 directly1455 merec1475 incomparable1482 preciselyc1503 clean?1515 cleara1522 plain1535 merely1546 stark1553 perfectly1555 right-down1566 simply1574 flat1577 flatly1577 skire1581 plumb1588 dead?1589 rankly1590 stark1593 sheera1600 start1599 handsmooth1600 peremptory1601 sheerly1601 rank1602 utter1619 point-blank1624 proofa1625 peremptorily1626 downrightly1632 right-down1646 solid1651 clever1664 just1668 hollow1671 entirely1673 blank1677 even down1677 cleverly1696 uncomparatively1702 subtly1733 point1762 cussed1779 regularly1789 unqualifiedly1789 irredeemably1790 positively1800 cussedly1802 heart1812 proper1816 slick1818 blankly1822 bang1828 smack1828 pluperfectly1831 unmitigatedly1832 bodaciously1833 unredeemedly1835 out of sight1839 bodacious1845 regular1846 thoroughly1846 ingrainedly1869 muckinga1880 fucking1893 motherless1898 self1907 stone1928 sideways1956 terminally1974 1818 H. B. Fearon Sketches Amer. 123 Did she die slick right away? 1832 T. B. Macaulay Let. 6 July in G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay (1876) I. v. 259 A Yankee has written to me... I guess I must answer him slick right away. 1840 W. M. Thackeray Shabby Genteel Story iii I was right slick up over head and ears in love with her at once. 1900 F. T. Pollok & W. S. Thom Wild Sports Burma & Assam vi. 210 I..imagined they had bolted slick away. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1912; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.¹1626n.²1683adj.?a1366v.a1225adv.1818
随便看	to make a stint to make a stop to make a stop of to make a story to make a stoupaille of to make a straight shirttail to make a stranger of to make a study of to make a subscription to make a supply to make a ten-strike to make a tenstrike to make a text like a welshman's hose to make a thing about to make a thing of to make a time to make a tit of to make a tit of oneself to make a tit of someone to make a tit out of to make a tit out of someone to make a to make signs to make a tomfool of to make a touch to make a traverse

slickn.1

Compounds

slickn.2

slickadj.

Compounds

slickv.

slickadv.

slickn.¹

slickn.²