slaver
1 Americanverb (used without object)
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to let saliva run from the mouth; slobber; drool.
-
to fawn.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
saliva coming from the mouth.
verb
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to dribble saliva
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(often foll by over)
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to fawn or drool (over someone)
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to show great desire (for); lust (after)
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noun
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saliva dribbling from the mouth
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informal drivel
noun
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an owner of or dealer in slaves
-
another name for slave ship
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
slaversimple
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slaverssimple
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have slaveredperfect
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has slaveredperfect
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am slaveringprogressive
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are slaveringprogressive
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is slaveringprogressive
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have been slaveringperfect progressive
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has been slaveringperfect progressive
Past
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slaveredsimple
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had slaveredperfect
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was slaveringprogressive
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were slaveringprogressive
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had been slaveringperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of slaver1
First recorded in 1815–25; slave + -er 1
Origin of slaver2
1275–1325; Middle English slaver (noun), slaveren (v.), probably < Scandinavian; compare Icelandic slafra to slobber
Explanation
Someone who brutally and cruelly forces people into servitude is a slaver. If you come across this word being used as a verb, it has an entirely different meaning (and pronunciation), to slobber or drool. You can use the historical word slaver to talk about the slave traders who captured and sold human beings into slavery, as well as the slave owners who forced enslaved people to work. It also describes the ships that transported enslaved Africans: "Many people died at sea on the slavers." When used as a verb, slaver is pronounced with a short a and it has a much gentler meaning. Your dog might start to slaver as you pour food into her dish.
Vocabulary lists containing slaver
The Tyrant's Tomb
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Tales from Earthsea
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The Mechanical Mind of John Coggin
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ellen, whose father was a slaver, was white enough to pass, but as a woman she could not easily travel unaccompanied in 1848.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2023
The Portuguese monarchy also hired explorers such as Alvise Cadamosto, a Venetian slaver sent to scout the region of Senegambia.
From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022
The plaque was installed in the church after the 18th Century slaver died in Dorchester in 1744, aged 46, during a visit to England - he was Scottish by birth.
From BBC • Sep. 1, 2022
This casting decision makes a clear point: Kind or not, a slaver is still a slaver.
From New York Times • May 30, 2022
"So the slaver has become a spy," Ned said with distaste.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
