slash

UK: slæʃ | US: slæʃ

Definition

  1. v. to cut with a sweeping stroke

  2. v. to reduce sharply

  3. n. a sweeping cut or stroke

  4. n. a punctuation mark (/)

Structure
sl <cutting sound>ash <residue>sl <cutting sound>ash <residue>
Etymology

"Slash" likely originated as an onomatopoeic word mimicking the sound of a swift cut (e.g., "sl-" sounds like a blade slicing). The "-ash" component may evoke the aftermath or residue of the action. Over time, it expanded to describe both the action (verb) and its result (noun), including the symbolic "/" mark representing division or alternatives.

Examples

  1. He used a knife to slash the ropes.

  2. The company decided to slash prices by 50%.

  3. A deep slash marked the tree trunk.

  4. Use a slash to separate options (e.g., "and/or").

  5. The critic’s review was a slash at the film’s plot.