slow-moving
UK: ˌsləʊ ˈmuːvɪŋ | US: ˌsloʊ ˈmuːvɪŋ
adj. moving or progressing at a low speed
adj. lacking energy or urgency; sluggish
The word "slow-moving" is a compound adjective formed by combining "slow" (Old English slāw, meaning "inactive" or "sluggish") and "moving" (from Old French movoir, Latin movēre, meaning "to set in motion"). The hyphenated form emphasizes the unified concept of something progressing at a leisurely or delayed pace. Historically, "slow" has Germanic roots, while "moving" derives from Latin via French, reflecting the blending of linguistic influences in English. The compound logically merges the idea of reduced speed ("slow") with the action of motion ("moving"), often used to describe physical movement or metaphorical progress (e.g., bureaucratic processes).
The slow-moving traffic made us late for the meeting.
A slow-moving river winds through the valley.
The project is progressing at a slow-moving pace due to budget constraints.
Turtles are known for their slow-moving nature.
The documentary highlighted the slow-moving changes in climate policy.