Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Slaknes, , n. Also: -ness, Slacknes(s. [ME slacnesse (1340), slakenes (Trevisa), slaknesse (Prompt. Parv.), e.m.E. slackenesse (1555), OE slæcness; Slak adj.] Lack of determination or diligence in (of) action, sluggishness, remissness, negligence.(1) 1558-66 Knox II 383.
Thei began … to speak of the punishement of adulterye … and to seik the restitutioun of the glebes and manses to the ministeris … thairby thei thought to have pleased the godlye that war hyghtlie offended at thair slacknes 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 34.
The divorce was poistit fordwart without ony slaknes, outher in the witnessis or in the judges 1591 Warrender P. (SHS) II 155.
[You may find hereafter that] through your slaknes and silence [you have imperilled your own security] 1593 Conv. Burghs I 418.
Lord forgif ws oure slaknes and negligent handling of this wark 1650 Rec. Kirk Scotl. 600.(2) 1595–6 St. A. Kirk S. 913 n.
The Presbytrie considdering the slaknes of thair disciplein [etc.] 1599 Acts IV 180/2.
Sic hes bein the slaknes of the executioun of the samin that [etc.] 1601 Elgin Rec. II 93.
The minister fand gryt fault … for thair slaknes in poynding the absentis 1651 Hist. Fragm. I 21.
His slackness in timous onfalling before they landed more men … makes evident the desires of his heart