slough

or sluff

[ sluhf ]

/ slʌf /

noun

the outer layer of the skin of a snake, which is cast off periodically.

Pathology. a mass or layer of dead tissue separated from the surrounding or underlying tissue.

anything that is shed or cast off.

Cards. a discard.

verb (used without object)

to be or become shed or cast off, as the slough of a snake.

to cast off a slough.

Pathology. to separate from the sound flesh, as a slough.

Cards. to discard a card or cards.

verb (used with object)

to dispose or get rid of; cast (often followed by off): to slough off a bad habit.

to shed as or like a slough.

Cards. to discard (cards).

Verb Phrases

slough over, to treat as slight or trivial: to slough over a friend's mistake.

Words nearby slough

slotted spoon, slotter, slouch, slouch hat, slouchy, slough, slough off, slovak, slovakia, slovakian, sloven

Origin of slough

1250–1300; Middle English slughe, slouh skin of a snake; cognate with German Schlauch skin, bag

SYNONYMS FOR slough

6 molt.

OTHER WORDS FROM slough

slough·i·ness, nounslough·y, adjectiveun·sloughed, adjectiveun·slough·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sloughing

But she does offer a brief reprieve for those nostalgic for a cultural era that appears to be sloughing away before our eyes.
The Book on Aging Rockers|Jane Ciabattari|June 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
In gangrenous or foul ulcers; to correct the fetor of the discharge, and to hasten the sloughing.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
When the glands pass into a sloughing state, the parts connected with them are frequently damaged.
Hydriatic treatment of Scarlet Fever in its Different Forms|Charles Munde
The only local anesthetic that produces edema and sloughing is quinin and urea hydrochlorid.
The Propaganda for Reform in Proprietary Medicines, Vol. 2 of 2|Various

It may cause a purulent discharge, and in some cases it has been extruded after sloughing of the overlying soft parts.
Manual of Surgery|Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles
Suppuration at several points takes place, and sloughing may ensue.
Essentials of Diseases of the Skin|Henry Weightman Stelwagon

British Dictionary definitions for sloughing (1 of 3)

Slough

/ (slaʊ) /

noun

an industrial town in SE central England, in Slough unitary authority, Berkshire; food products, high-tech industries. Pop: 126 276 (2001)

a unitary authority in SE central England, in Berkshire. Pop: 118 800 (2003 est). Area: 28 sq km (11 sq miles)

British Dictionary definitions for sloughing (2 of 3)

slough¹

/ (slaʊ) /

noun

a hollow filled with mud; bog

(sluː) US and Canadian

(in the prairies) a large hole where water collects or the water in such a hole
(in the northwest) a sluggish side channel of a river
(on the Pacific coast) a marshy saltwater inlet

despair or degradation

Derived forms of slough

sloughy, adjective

Word Origin for slough

Old English slōh; related to Middle High German sluoche ditch, Swedish slaga swamp

British Dictionary definitions for sloughing (3 of 3)

slough²

/ (slʌf) /

noun

any outer covering that is shed, such as the dead outer layer of the skin of a snake, the cellular debris in a wound, etc

Also: sluff bridge a discarded card

verb

(often foll by off) to shed (a skin, etc) or (of a skin, etc) to be shed

Also: sluff bridge to discard (a card or cards)

Derived forms of slough

sloughy, adjective

Word Origin for slough

C13: of Germanic origin; compare Middle Low German slū husk, German Schlauch hose, Norwegian slō fleshy part of a horn

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for sloughing

slough

[ slŭf ]

n.

A layer or mass of dead tissue separated from surrounding living tissue, as in a wound, a sore, or an inflammation.

v.

To separate from surrounding living tissue. Used of dead tissue.

Science definitions for sloughing

slough

[ slŭf ]

Noun

The dead outer skin shed by a reptile or an amphibian.

Verb

To shed an outer layer of skin.

slough

or sluff

noun

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Verb Phrases

Content related to slough

Words related to slough

Words nearby slough

Origin of slough

SYNONYMS FOR slough

OTHER WORDS FROM slough

Examples from the Web for sloughing

British Dictionary definitions for sloughing (1 of 3)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for sloughing (2 of 3)

noun

Derived forms of slough

Word Origin for slough

British Dictionary definitions for sloughing (3 of 3)

noun

verb

Derived forms of slough

Word Origin for slough

Medicine definitions for sloughing

n.

v.

Science definitions for sloughing

Noun

Verb