slake

[sleyk]

verb (used with object)

slaked, slaking 

1. to allay (thirst, desire, wrath, etc.) by satisfying.

   Synonyms: relieve, gratify, quench, satisfy

2. to cool or refresh.

   He slaked his lips with ice.

3. to make less active, vigorous, intense, etc..

   His calm manner slaked their enthusiasm.

4. to cause disintegration of (lime) by treatment with water.

5. to moisten; wet.

   To thicken the sauce, add a tablespoon of cornstarch slaked with a little cold water.

6. Obsolete.,  to make loose or less tense; slacken.

verb (used without object)

slaked, slaking 

1. (of lime) to become slaked.

2. Archaic.,  to become less active, intense, vigorous, etc.; abate.

slake

/ sleɪk /

verb

1. literary,  (tr) to satisfy (thirst, desire, etc)

2. poetic,  (tr) to cool or refresh

3. Also: slack. to undergo or cause to undergo the process in which lime reacts with water or moist air to produce calcium hydroxide

4. archaic,  to make or become less active or intense

Other Word Forms

• slakable adjective
• slakeable adjective
• slakeless adjective
• unslakable adjective
• unslakeable adjective
• unslaked adjective
• slaker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of slake¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English slaken, slakken, slake “to loosen, lessen, mitigate, allay, moderate,” Old English slacian, slæcian, sleacian “to slacken, lessen one's efforts,” equivalent to slæc “inactive, careless, languid” + -ian causative verb suffix; slack ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of slake¹

Old English slacian, from slæc _slack ¹ ; related to Dutch slaken to diminish, Icelandic slaka

Example Sentences

But betel chew—a mixture of areca nuts, betel leaves and slaked lime—is entirely different from datura.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Done with the workweek, they are eager to slake their thirst.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Other issues, like border policy and immigration, have slaked Congress’ demand for partisan point scoring, allowing tax writers to move ahead without too much partisan squabbling.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Paan, a betel nut leaf with slaked lime, rose petal jam and mouth fresheners like cardamom and cloves, has fascinated South Asians for centuries.

Read more on BBC

Thousands of Tacomans, joined by rail fans from miles around, will slake their curiosity this weekend by exploring Sound Transit’s new Tacoma Link Hilltop Extension.

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• appease 
• assuage 
• quench