A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Slakning, Slackning, vbl. n. [e.m.E. slakning (1593).] The action of relaxing (muscles). —1687 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XXVII 131.
Stand [at golf] … holding the muscles … stiffe, and not at all slackning them in the time you are bringing down the stroak 1687 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XXVII 132.
You most make no halt or rest, which is a slakning of the muscles of the back, between the bringing back of the club and the bringing it forward
