slacken
Meaning
to become or make something become less tight, firm, or taut.
to become or make something become less active, intense, or fast.
Structure
Usage
the captain ordered the crew to slacken the ropes as the storm subsided.
you must not slacken your efforts now that the project is nearing completion.
after the initial burst of speed, the runner's pace began to slacken noticeably.
Etymology
the word 'slacken' is a transparent english formation built upon the ancient root for looseness. its core, 'slack', descends from proto-germanic slakaz, which itself can be traced back to the proto-indo-european root (s)leg-, meaning "to be slack or languid". this root also gave rise to latin laxus (loose), connecting to a wide semantic field of laxity. the suffix '-en' is a native english verb-forming element, used since old english to indicate causing a state or entering into it. therefore, 'slacken' literally means "to make or become slack", a meaning that has remained consistent from its literal application to ropes and sails to its metaphorical use for pace, effort, or vigilance.
Analysis
slack (from old english sleac, meaning "loose, lax, remiss"; of germanic origin; functions as the core adjective/verb root). en (from old english -nian, a verb-forming suffix; of germanic origin; functions to create a verb meaning "to make or become").