slicker
UK[ˈslɪkə(r)]US[ˈslɪkər]
n
a long, loose waterproof coat, typically made of shiny material.
n
(informal, chiefly north american) a person who is smooth, persuasive, and often deceitful.
Morpheme Breakdown
slick
er
slick
smooth
er
agent/instrument suffix
Etymology
the word 'slicker' is a transparent english compound formed from the adjective 'slick' and the agentive suffix '-er'. 'slick' itself originates from old english, related to words meaning 'smooth' or 'slippery', a concept traceable to proto-germanic roots. the '-er' suffix, a prolific germanic derivational tool, creates nouns indicating an agent or an object associated with the root. thus, a 'slicker' literally means 'something that makes one slick' (the waterproof coat) or 'one who is slick' (the smooth-talking person), directly linking the physical property of smoothness to both a functional garment and a metaphorical character trait.
Analysis
Structure: slick (smooth) + er (agent/instrument suffix)
slick (from middle english slicken, meaning 'to make smooth', of old english origin, functioning as the adjectival root). er (from old english -ere, an agent/instrument suffix, of germanic origin, functioning to denote 'one who does' or 'a thing used for').
Examples
he pulled on his yellow slicker before heading out into the rain.
the salesman was a real slicker, charming customers into buying overpriced products.
the old fisherman's slicker was worn and shiny from years of use.