slew

English

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

From Irish slua (“crowd”) (noun only)

Noun

slew (plural slews)

  1. (US) A large amount.
    She has a slew of papers and notebooks strewn all over her desk.
Translations
a large amount
See also

Etymology 2

In all senses, a mostly British spelling of slue.

Noun

slew (plural slews)

  1. The act, or process of slaying.
  2. A device used for slaying.
  3. A change of position.
Translations
the act, or process of slaying
device used for slaying
change of position

Verb

slew (third-person singular simple present slews, present participle slewing, simple past and past participle slewed)

  1. (transitive, nautical) To rotate or turn something about its axis.
  2. (transitive) To veer a vehicle.
  3. (transitive) To insert extra ticks or skip some ticks of a clock to slowly correct its time.
  4. (intransitive) To pivot.
  5. (intransitive) To skid.
  6. (transitive, rail transport) to move something (usually a railway line) sideways
    The single line was slewed onto the disused up formation to make way for the future redoubling
  7. (transitive, UK, slang) To make a public mockery of someone through insult or wit.
Translations
to rotate or turn something about its axis
to veer a vehicle
To insert extra ticks or skip some ticks of a clock to slowly correct its time
to pivot
to skid
to move something (usually a railway line) sideways
to make a public mockery of someone through insult or wit

Etymology 3

Verb

slew

  1. Simple past of slay.

See also

Anagrams

↑Jump back a section
Last modified on 19 May 2013, at 21:54