slough

v. to shed or drop an outer layer of skin, like a snake does.

v. to cast off or shed a layer of dead tissue or skin. Often used in medical or biological contexts.

“As the snake grows, it will slough its old skin in one piece.”

“The patient's damaged skin began to slough off as the new, healthy tissue formed underneath during the healing process.”

Technical

v. to get rid of something that is no longer wanted or is holding you back.

v. to discard or cast off something considered undesirable or burdensome. Frequently used with the particle 'off'.

“She tried to slough off her bad mood and enjoy the party.”

“The corporation attempted to slough off its less profitable subsidiaries to appease the increasingly restless shareholders.”

Literary

v. to stay away from school without permission.

v. to commit truancy; to be absent from educational obligations without authorization.

“They decided to slough their afternoon classes and go to the beach instead.”

“In certain Western regions, students might slough their responsibilities for a day of hiking when the weather turns unexpectedly warm.”

American English · Slang · Informal

n. a soft, wet, and muddy piece of land.

n. a place of deep mud or mire; a stagnant swamp or backwater.

“The hikers had to be careful not to get stuck in the deep slough.”

“The heavy rains transformed the low-lying fields into a treacherous slough that was impassable for heavy machinery.”

Literary

n. a feeling of deep sadness or lack of hope that is hard to get out of.

n. a state of moral or spiritual despondency or depression. Most famously used in the phrase 'slough of despond'.

“After losing his job, he fell into a deep slough of despair.”

“The protagonist spends much of the second act wandering through a mental slough, unable to find the motivation to continue his quest.”

Literary