slough
UK[slaʊ]US[sluː] (for sense of swamp); [slʌf] (for sense of shedding)
n
A swamp, marsh, or bog, especially one that is part of an inlet or backwater.
n
A situation characterized by lack of progress or activity, often one that feels demoralizing.
v
To shed or cast off a dead outer layer, such as skin or tissue.
v
To get rid of something undesirable or burdensome.
Etymology
The noun 'slough' (rhyming with 'now'), meaning a swamp, originates from Old English 'slōh', likely referring to a muddy place. The verb 'slough' (rhyming with 'stuff'), meaning to cast off, comes from Middle Low German 'slūwe' or Middle Dutch 'slōuwe', referring to a husk or skin, which was then verbed in English. Despite their identical modern spelling, these are etymologically distinct words. The metaphorical noun sense of a state of depression or stagnation developed from the imagery of being stuck in a bog, while the verb's abstract sense of discarding troubles evolved from the physical act of shedding skin.
Analysis
This word is a simplex form. Its different pronunciations and meanings stem from two distinct historical sources that converged in spelling.
Examples
The old canal had become a stagnant slough overgrown with reeds.
After the project failed, the team fell into a deep slough of despond.
The snake will slough its skin several times a year.