Middle English Dictionary Entry
slak n.(2)
Entry Info
| Forms | slak n.(2) Also slake, slac, (in names) slack, -sclak, -sclac; pl. slakkes. |
| Etymology | ON: cp. Icel. slakki, Norw. slakke. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A small valley or depression in the ground, a hollow; ?also, a shoal, mud flat [quot.: Morte Arth.(1)]; (b) in surnames; (c) in place names [see Smith PNElem.2.128].
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 St.Anne(1) (Min-U Z.822.N.81)1956 : By a wode in a slake Outlawes & thefes welke in þat lande.
- c1440(a1350) Isumb.(Thrn)622 : Some he keste into a slake, That bothe braste neke and bakke.
- c1440(a1400) Awntyrs Arth.(Thrn)298 : Gette the, sir Gawayne..For in a slake [Ir: slac; Lamb: slade] þou salle be slayne.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3719 : Thane was it slyke a slowde in slakkes full hugge, That let þe kyng for to lande, in the lawe watyre.
- c1450(?a1400) Roland & O.(Add 31042)1418 : Doun þay dange þaire Baners brade, Bothe in slakkes & in slade.
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)7418 : Slike paynes suffird all þe pak Þat wer broght in to þat slak.
- a1500(a1450) St.Robt.Knares.(Eg 3143)544 : Þare lay Yue styll in a slake [rime: brake].
b
- (1301) Sub.R.Yks.in YASRS 2191 : Johanne del Slack.
- (1332) Sub.R.Lan.in LCRS 31.234 : Henricus del Slak.
c
- (c1200) EPNSoc.14 (East Riding Yks.& York)328 : Refholeslac.
- (1235) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.)286 : Langesclac.
- (1264) in Ekwall PNLan.213 : De Nettlisclak.
- (1300) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.)286 : Waytslack.
- (1316) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.)286 : Slachill.
- (1335) EPNSoc.5 (North Riding Yks.)330 : Westslak.
- (1359) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.)286 : Greneslakheued.
- (1425) EPNSoc.43 (Wm.)286 : Roghslake.