slit
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a long, thin cut or opening in something like fabric, paper, or skin.
n.a narrow, straight cut or aperture in a surface.
Simple“He looked through a tiny slit in the curtains to see who was at the door.”
In context“The archers positioned themselves behind narrow slits in the stone wall, which provided protection while allowing a clear line of sight to the valley below.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to make a long, straight cut in something using a sharp tool.
v.to make a long, narrow incision in a material or surface, typically using a blade.
Simple“She used a sharp knife to slit the envelope open.”
In context“The surgeon carefully slit the outer membrane to access the damaged tissue underneath, ensuring the incision remained as small as possible.”
UsageThis is a transitive verb that requires a direct object.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a very rude and offensive word for a woman.
n.a highly derogatory and vulgar term for a woman or the female genitalia.
Simple“The angry man shouted a vulgar insult, using the word slit to demean her.”
In context“The dialogue in the gritty crime novel was filled with aggressive language, including the use of 'slit' as a crude misogynistic slur.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is extremely offensive and should be avoided; it is included here only for recognition in hostile or vulgar contexts.
From Middle English slitten, from Old English slītan, from Proto-Germanic slītaną (“to tear apart”), from Proto-Indo-European (s)leyd- (“to tear, rend (cut apart), split apart”). Possibly cognate with Latin laed- (“to strike, hurt, injure”). Doublet of slite; also related to slice through French borrowing. Apparently unrelated to English slot, whose etymology, however, is uncertain.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.