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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.

Slak, adj., n.³ (adv.). Also: slack(e, slaik. Compar. sla(c)kker. [ME slak (1340), slakke (Chaucer), slake (Trevisa), e.m.E. slacke (1534), slack (1621), OE slæc, sleac, MDu. slac, MLG slak, ON slakr.]

A. adj. 1. a. Of persons: Lacking diligence or determination (in the conduct of one's affairs, duties, etc.); idle; negligent, remiss. Also const. infin. b. Of the hand: Not dealing or acting firmly. Only in fig. context.(1) 1456 Hay II 51/13.
Gif … he be feigned, slak, and cowart a1568 Norvall in Bann. MS 20b/58.
Wirk weill in tyme and be nocht slak 1570 Warrender P. (SHS) I 76.
Sum supponis he is bot ane slak freind for Northfolk and me 1573 Sempill Sat. P. xxxix 131.
The generallis band come bauldlie at thair bak … Ȝaxlie and Erintoun, nather of thame wes slak 1660 Aberd. Council Lett. IV 34.
The old man worne slack(b) 1656 Brodie Diary 175.
What car is taken in families to teach ther children and servants the grounds of religion; for mani ar slaik heer(2) 1562 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 25.
He wes somewhat slack in his visitatiounis a1578 Pitsc. I 115/21.
Thir tedingis cummand … was the slackker in the ryssing of his men 1580 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 165.
The chirurgeanes dowtting of payment ar become slak in thair cure 1584 Gowrie P. 75.
How negligent or slacke soever I appeare in ceremonies, yow shall [etc.] 1589 St. A. B. Ct. 3 June.
Iff … the said William … be slak sleuthfull & negligent in peyment [etc.] 1624 Huntar Weights & Measures To reader.
There is many whose skill is better then mane, if they could take the paines: but seeing they are slack in so needefull a worke [etc.] c1630 Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 190.
If he wold not be slack in his demands they wold yeeld to give him possession of the saids lands 1681 Dunkeld Presb. II 17.
That several ministers are slack in observing [etc.](3) 1567 Sat. P. iii 93.
Sho is slak to try this tresoun outb. 1661 Wodrow Hist. I (1828) 171.
I have studied … not to deal with a slack hand in … my duty 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 548.
In that day it shall be said … to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack

2. Of conduct, actions, attitudes, etc.: Characterised by lack of diligence in the performance, negligence, sluggishness, etc. 1567 Sat. P. iii 108.
Slak regaird of godlynes 1577 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 38.
Haifand consideratioun of the slak peyment made be the personis addettit in peyment of males [etc.] a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 797 (L).
Nocht ellis he saw In aige, bot anger, slak and slaw c1590 Fowler II 102/9.
Pape Juley … observing … the slak event and vnhappie yssew of his mercenarye armye 1600 Stirling Merch. Guild 15.
Alexander Allane to supplie his plaice [sc. Walter Mainis] … because of his slak seruice this last ȝeir 1638 Dumfries Kirk S. 15 Feb.
The slak & slender resorting to the house of God by sundry tradesmen 1638 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 54.
And by a neidlesse noysse make it appeire that … wee have a verey slacke counsaill

3. Of a ship: ? Unsupported, as when dropping into the trough between waves. 1591-2 Rob Stene 22.
As veschell fragill and unstable, Toist heir and thair, now slak now brent

B. noun. Negligence, carelessness. Cf. Slaknes n. 1569 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 27.
I trest … that ȝour L. sall fynd na slak wyth me albeit I haiff nevir man to do for me in court bot by my awin dres and jugement

C. adv. Little, scarcely at all. c1420 Wynt. vii 3281 (W).
Bot thare thai held him slak [R., C. noucht] cunnand Quhen he wes aryvit