sloughing
|slough-ing|
/ˈslʌfɪŋ/, /ˈslaʊɪŋ/
(slough)
shed or swamp
Etymology
'slough' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'slōh' (also recorded as 'sloh' or similar forms), where the root meant 'skin', 'husk' or 'a piece that is cast off'.
'slough' changed through Middle English forms such as 'sloughen' and variants like 'sluffen' (influenced by dialects) and eventually produced modern English forms including 'slough' (verb) and derived nouns like 'sloughing'.
Initially it referred to skin, a rind, or something cast off; over time it maintained this literal sense (shedding skin/tissue) and expanded figuratively to mean discarding or casting off unwanted things.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process of shedding or casting off dead skin, tissue, or outer layers (medical/biological).
The wound showed significant sloughing, which delayed healing.
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Noun 2
a piece or mass of dead tissue that has separated from living tissue (medical). Often called 'slough'.
The surgeon removed the sloughing to reduce the risk of infection.
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Verb 1
present participle/gerund of 'slough': to shed or cast off (skin, dead tissue, outer layers).
The snake was sloughing its old skin in one long piece.
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Verb 2
present participle/gerund used figuratively: to discard, get rid of, or strip away something unwanted (ideas, practices, divisions, etc.).
The company has been sloughing off unprofitable divisions to focus on core products.
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Last updated: 2025/10/13 18:22