slow: Meaning and Definition of

slow

Pronunciation: (slō), [key]
— adj., adv., v. -er, -est, -er, -est,
—adj.
  1. moving or proceeding with little or less than usual speed or velocity: a slow train.
  2. characterized by lack of speed: a slow pace.
  3. taking or requiring a comparatively long time for completion: a slow meal; a slow trip.
  4. requiring or taking a long time for growing, changing, or occurring; gradual: a plant of slow growth.
  5. sluggish in nature, disposition, or function.
  6. dull of perception or understanding; mentally dull: a slow child.
  7. not prompt, readily disposed, or in haste (usually fol. by to or an infinitive): slow to anger; slow to take offense.
  8. burning or heating with little speed or intensity, as a fire or an oven.
  9. slack; not busy: The market was slow today.
  10. having some quality that retards speed or causes movement, progress, work, etc., to be accomplished at less than the usual or expected rate of speed: a slow, careful worker; a slow road.
  11. running at less than the proper rate of speed or registering less than the proper time, as a clock.
  12. passing heavily or dragging, as time: It's been a slow afternoon.
  13. not progressive; behind the times: a slow town.
  14. dull, humdrum, uninteresting, or tedious: What a slow party!
  15. requiring long exposure, as by having a small lens diameter or low film sensitivity: a slow lens or film.
  16. (of the surface of a race track) sticky from a fairly recent rain and in the process of drying out.
—adv.
  1. in a slow manner; slowly: Drive slow.
—v.t.
  1. to make slow or slower (often fol. by up or down).
  2. to retard; reduce the advancement or progress of: His illness slowed him at school.
—v.i.
  1. to become slow or slower; slacken in speed (often fol. by up or down).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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