SLACKENING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does slackening mean? 

• SLACKENING (noun)
  The noun SLACKENING has 1 sense:

1. an occurrence of control or strength weakening

  Familiarity information: SLACKENING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SLACKENING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An occurrence of control or strength weakening

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

loosening; relaxation; slackening

Context example:

the slackening of the wind

Hypernyms ("slackening" is a kind of...):

weakening (becoming weaker)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "slackening"):

thaw (a relaxation or slackening of tensions or reserve; becoming less hostile)

Derivation:

slacken (make slack as by lessening tension or firmness)

 Context examples 

Now he studied the sea to windward for signs of the wind slackening or freshening, now the Macedonia; and again, his eyes roved over every sail, and he gave commands to slack a sheet here a trifle, to come in on one there a trifle, till he was drawing out of the Ghost the last bit of speed she possessed.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)