Definition of "slack"

The counselor is directed to give his client "free attention," or "slack," performing a kind of vigil, a version of Carl Rogers's "unconditional positive regard."

1979, Richard Dean Rosen, Psychobabble, page 93

We have apparently been doing this all our lives, since we were first distressed. This collection of ancient habits seems to be "energized" by the presence, or even the promise, of "slack" or free attention from any person in the situation […]

1983, Harvey Jackins, The Reclaiming of Power, page 14

The breeches formerly worn with those spiral leggings have been succeeded by full length, slack-type trousers which are loose at the knee and around the calf.

1943, Jacob Armstrong Swisher, Iowa in Times of War, State Historical Society of Iowa, page 124

Recently though, slack manufacturers have been cuddling under the wings of the clothing industry to a greater extent than ever, for it has become good business to promote separate slacks and sport coats as a coordinated sales unit.

1970, Harry A. Cobrin, The Men’s Clothing Industry: Colonial Through Modern Times, New York, N.Y.: Fairchild Publications, Inc., page 7

At that time, it was customary for male college students in Peking to wear long gowns. With a pair of slacks and leather shoes, plus a scarf in the winter, Shu looked very handsome. I tried to wear the gown for two days, and gave it up because I found it difficult to reach the slack pockets under it.

2004, Pei Pin Han, “Friendship for 54 Years”, in Amy Lanping Sung, Hu Kung-Chung Chien, editors, Shu Chien: Tributes on His 70th Birthday, World Scientific, page 38

The Lord is not ſlacke cõcerning his promiſe (as ſome men count ſlackneſſe) […].

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 2 Peter 3:9, column 2

“They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just for that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”

1928, Lawrence R. Bourne, chapter 3, in Well Tackled!‎

In the slack hours the service is maintained by single motor-coaches.

1940 December, “Notes and News: Waterloo & City Tube Modernisation”, in Railway Magazine, page 668

I maruell I heare no nevves of Dromio, either hee ſlackes the matter, or betraies his Maiſter, I dare not motion anie thing to Stellio, till I knovv vvhat my boy hath don, Ile hunt him out, if the loiterſacke be gone ſpringing into a Tauerne, Ile fetch him reeling out.

c. 1590 (date written), [John Lyly], Mother Bombie. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, published 1598, Act II, scene ii

In this business of growing rich, poor men […] should slack their pace.

1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, 6th edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727

Ne did ſhe let dull ſleepe once to relent, / Nor wearineſſe to ſlack her haſt, but fled / Euer alike, […].

1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book III, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, stanza 2, page 494

This pitfall, beginning in February and finishing in May, resulted in a drop of about 3 ft. in the platform level; during this period it was necessary to level the track three times weekly, and impose a service slack of 15 m.p.h. The subsidence appears now to have finished, and normal speed is once again permitted.

1939 June, “Pertinent Paragraphs: Pitfalls”, in Railway Magazine, page 456

The train runs slowly with frequent slacks for bridge and culvert repairs. At one point occurs the changeover from left- to right-hand running.

1949 September and October, “The "Nord Express"”, in Railway Magazine, page 336

A 40 m.p.h. slack at West Ruislip, quickly followed by a 30 m.p.h. slack at Gerrards Cross, increased our lateness to four minutes at High Wycombe.

1960 February, R. C. Riley, “The London-Birmingham services - Past, Present and Future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 103

One of the important improvements of recent years has been attained by mixing the peat pulp as it passes through the grinding machine, with other inflammable materials, such as bituminous coal dust, or slack […]

1905, Colliery Engineer, volume 25, page 107

It had rather a woolly and uneven beat and was inclined to prime, but there was no trouble with steaming even though the tender contained mostly small slack and dust.

1959 April, P. Ransome-Wallis, “The Southern in Trouble on the Kent Coast”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, page 220