slalom
UK[ˈslɑːləm]US[ˈslɑːləm]
n
A skiing or canoeing race along a winding course marked out by poles or gates.
v
To move or race in a winding course, weaving in and out of obstacles.
Etymology
The word 'slalom' entered English in the early 20th century from Norwegian, where it is a compound of 'slad' (sloping hillside) and 'låm' (track or trail). It originally referred specifically to a ski race down a zigzagging course on a slope. The term's adoption into English reflects the international spread and standardization of alpine skiing as a sport. Its meaning has since broadened metaphorically to describe any similar serpentine movement through a series of obstacles, such as in canoeing or even driving.
Analysis
This word is a simplex loanword from Norwegian. It is not productively formed from separable morphemes in English.
Examples
She won a gold medal in the giant slalom at the Winter Olympics.
The kayaker had to slalom through the rocky rapids.
The cyclist slalomed between the traffic cones during the skill test.