slimy
English edit
Etymology edit
From Middle English slymy, slimi, either derived from the noun Old English slīm or an unattested *slīmiġ, replacing Old English slipig (“slippy”). Equivalent to slime + -y. Cognate with Dutch slijmig, slijmerig (“slimy”), German schleimig (“slimy; smarmy”), Swedish slemmig (“slimy”).
Pronunciation edit
Adjective edit
slimy (comparative slimier, superlative slimiest)
- Of or pertaining to slime
- resembling, of the nature of, covered or daubed with, or abounding in slime
- 1798, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancyent Marinere:
- Slimy things did crawl with legs
Upon the slimy sea.
- (slang, figuratively) Friendly in a false, calculating way; underhanded; two-faced; sneaky; slick; smarmy.
- 1994, Jim Ranie, Jargodin: The Moonlighter, Brisbane: Jim Ranie, page 83:
- "I looked at this moon-faced, smooth skinned, slimy fraud, with his patronising smile."
Synonyms edit
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
like slime; glutinous
|
underhanded
Noun edit
slimy (plural slimies)
- A ponyfish.