glide

verb

• 1 [no object, with adverbial of direction] move with a smooth, quiet continuous motion:a few gondolas glided past
• [with object and adverbial of direction] move (something) with a smooth continuous motion: slide your hands firmly across the shoulders then glide them down

• 2 [no object] make an unpowered flight, either in a glider or in an aircraft with engine failure: students learning to glide
• (of a bird) fly with very little movement of the wings: (as adjective gliding)gulls are gliding birds

noun

• 1a gliding movement: the cuckoo makes its approach in a hawklike glide the Cessna started a gentle power-off glide
• a smooth continuous step in ballroom dancing.
• a flight in a glider or unpowered aircraft: just within range for a straight glide home

• 2 Phonetics a sound produced as the vocal organs move towards or away from articulation of a vowel or consonant, for example /j/ in duke /djuːk/.

• 3 Cricket a glancing stroke which slightly deflects the ball, especially towards the leg side.