slippery

English

/ˈslɪpəɹi/

adj
Definitions
  • Of a surface, having low friction, often due to being covered in a non-viscous liquid, and therefore hard to grip, hard to stand on without falling, etc.
  • (figuratively) Evasive; difficult to pin down.
  • (obsolete) Liable to slip; not standing firm.
  • Unstable; changeable; inconstant.
  • (obsolete) Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English slipperie, slipper derived from Old English slipor (slippery) derived from Proto-Germanic *slipraz (slippery, smooth) affix from English slip (twig, kind of underskirt, strip).

Origin

English

slip

Gloss

twig, kind of underskirt, strip

Concept
Semantic Field

Agriculture and vegetation

Ontological Category

Person/Thing

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms