slur

Syllabification: (slur)

Pronunciation: /slər/

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Definition of slur

verb (slurs, slurring, slurred)

[with object]

1speak (words or speech) indistinctly so that the sounds run into one another:he was slurring his words like a drunk
[no object] (of words or speech) be spoken so the sounds run into one another:his speech was beginning to slur
pass over (a fact or aspect) so as to conceal or minimize it:essential attributes are being slurred over or ignored

2 Music perform (a group of two or more notes) legato: (as adjective slurred)a group of slurred notes
mark (notes) with a slur.

3make damaging or insulting insinuations or allegations about:try and slur the integrity of the police to secure an acquittal

noun

1an insinuation or allegation about someone that is likely to insult them or damage their reputation:the comments were a slur on the staff a racial slur

2an act of speaking indistinctly so that sounds or words run into one another or a tendency to speak in such a way:there was a mean slur in his voice

3 Music a curved line used to show that a group of two or more notes is to be sung to one syllable or played or sung legato.

Origin:

early 17th century: of unknown origin. The Middle English noun slur 'thin, fluid mud' gave rise to the early verb senses 'smear, smirch' and 'disparage (a person)', later 'gloss over (a fault)', whence current usage

slur in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of slur in the British & World English dictionary

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slur

verb (slurs, slurring, slurred)

noun

Origin:

slur in other Oxford dictionaries

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