|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
slug
slug1 / sləg/ • n. 1. a tough-skinned terrestrial mollusk (order Stylommatophora, class Gastropoda) that typically lacks a shell and secretes a film of mucus for protection. It can be a serious plant pest. See also sea slug. 2. a slow, lazy person; a sluggard. 3. an amount of an alcoholic drink, typically liquor, that is gulped or poured: he took a slug of whiskey. 4. an elongated, typically rounded piece or metal. ∎ a counterfeit coin; a token. ∎ a bullet, esp. one of lead. ∎ a missile for an air gun. ∎ a line of type in Linotype printing. ∎ Printing a metal bar used in spacing. • v. (slugged , slugging ) [tr.] drink (something, typically alcohol) in a large draft; swig. slug2 inf. • v. (slugged , slug·ging ) [tr.] strike (someone) with a hard blow: he was the one who'd get slugged. ∎ (slug it out) settle a dispute or contest by fighting or competing fiercely: they went outside to slug it out. • n. a hard blow. |
|
|
Cite this article
"slug." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "slug." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-slug.html "slug." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-slug.html |
|
slug
slug name for a terrestrial gastropod mollusk in which the characteristic molluscan shell is reduced to a thin plate embedded in the tissues. Like the terrestrial snails of the same order, slugs have a distinct head with a mouth, tentacles bearing eyes, and a lung for breathing air. They move on a muscular foot over a trail of slime which they secrete. Certain species, such as Limax maximus, have become serious pests in gardens and truck farms, particularly in the W United States. Gliding out to feed at night, they devour both the roots and aerial portions of plants with their rasplike radula. Terrestrial slugs are classified in the phylum Mollusca , class Gastropoda, order Stylommatophora. |
|
|
Cite this article
"slug." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "slug." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-slug.html "slug." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-slug.html |
|
slug
slug1 sluggard XV; †slow-sailing vessel XVI; slow-moving shell-less land-snail XVIII. Based on a stem slug-, repr. also by slug vb. be slow or inert (XV) and earlier by, e.g., †sluggy sluggish (XIII); prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. dial. slogga be sluggish, Norw. dial. slugg large heavy body).
So sluggish (-ISH1), sluggard (-ARD) XIV, slugabed XVI. |
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "slug." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "slug." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-slug.html T. F. HOAD. "slug." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-slug.html |
|
slug
|
|
|
Cite this article
"slug." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "slug." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-slug.html "slug." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-slug.html |
|
slug
slug2 irregularly shaped bullet XVII; (typogr.) metal bar, line of type XIX. perh. identical with prec.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "slug." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "slug." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-slug1.html T. F. HOAD. "slug." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-slug1.html |
|
slug
slug
•bug, chug, Doug, drug, dug, fug, glug, hug, jug, lug, mug, plug, pug, rug, shrug, slug, smug, snug, thug, trug, tug
•bedbug • ladybug • doodlebug
•humbug • firebug • thunderbug
•jitterbug, litterbug
•shutterbug • Rawlplug • earplug
•fireplug • hearthrug
|
|
|
Cite this article
"slug." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "slug." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-slug.html "slug." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-slug.html |
|