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World English Dictionary
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slow
slow [ slō ]


adjective  (comparative slow·er, superlative slow·est)
Definition:
 
1. not fast: not moving at a fast pace
2. lengthy: taking a long time to do or create something
Writing software is a slow process.
3. taking too much time: requiring more time than is usual or expected
4. not keeping accurate time: showing a time that is earlier than the correct time
I was late for my appointment because my watch was slow.
5. hesitant: doing something hesitantly or unwillingly
Why were you so slow to answer my question?
6. sluggish: lacking the usual volume of sales or customers
Business is usually slow during the summer months.
7. dull: lacking in interest or activity
The acting was good but the plot was terribly slow.
8. reducing speed of ball or runner: tending to reduce the speed or ability to travel of a ball, runner, or other competitor
a slow track
9. unintelligent: lacking in intelligence or mental sharpness ( informal insult )

10. cooking warm: operating at a low temperature that ensures thorough cooking throughout
A turkey should be cooked in a slow oven.


adverb  (comparative slow·er, superlative slow·est)
Definition:
 
1. behind: behind the correct time or pace
My watch seems to be running slow.
2. at low speed: at a reduced speed or pace
The law requires motorists to drive slow through school zones.


transitive and intransitive verb  (past and past participle slowed, present participle slow·ing, 3rd person present singular slows)
Definition:
 
1. make or become slow: to make somebody or something slow or slower, or become slow or slower
Could you slow your speed a little on those sharp turns?
2. delay or be delayed: to reduce the speed or progress of something, or become reduced in speed or progress
slowed down the company's rate of expansion
[ Old English slaw "sluggish" < Indo-European]

slow·ly adverb
slow·ness noun

Word Usage
slowly or slow?

The standard adverb is slowly: The car went slowly up the hill.Slow, although usually an adjective, is used as an adverb of keeping time (My watch is running slow), and also more generally in highly informal contexts, on signs (Go Slow), and as an element of compound words like slow-moving.
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
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