Definition of slither

slitherverb

trượt

/ˈslɪðə(r)//ˈslɪðər/

The word "slither" is an Old English term "slīhtran" which means "to move in a wriggling motion." This word evolved over time and appeared in Middle English as "slithren" and "slitheren." It eventually made its way into Middle Dutch and Old Norse as "slīthran" and "slīthra," respectively. In Old Norse, the word was employed to refer to the practice of sliding into certain activities, such as a fight or ambush. It was often used as a strategic tactic by armies to surprise their enemies. The word then evolved to represent the movement of certain animals like snakes and worms that wriggle and slither, adopting meanings that suggest an unwelcome or uncomfortable form of movement. The modern-day English word "slither" retained this meaning, describing the way reptiles move, but the usage of the word is typically reserved for negatively connoted contexts. As such, it has become associated with creeping, slinking, or crawling, which conjures images of unease and intrigue, making it popular in detective fiction and horror novels.

namespace

to move smoothly over a surface, like a snake

di chuyển trơn tru trên một bề mặt, giống như một con rắn

Example:
  • The snake slithered away as we approached.

    Con rắn trườn đi khi chúng tôi đến gần.

Extra examples:
  • Zack slithered along on his belly.

    Zack trườn đi bằng bụng.

  • She slithered into the water like a crocodile.

    Cô trườn xuống nước như một con cá sấu.

Related words and phrases

to move somewhere without much control, for example because the ground is steep or wet

di chuyển đến nơi nào đó mà không cần kiểm soát nhiều, ví dụ vì mặt đất dốc hoặc ẩm ướt

Example:
  • We slithered down the slope to the road.

    Chúng tôi trườn xuống dốc ra đường.

  • They were slithering around on the ice.

    Họ đang trườn quanh trên băng.

Extra examples:
  • Her knees gave way and she slithered to the floor.

    Đầu gối cô khuỵu xuống và cô trượt xuống sàn.

  • The horses slipped and slithered in the mud.

    Những con ngựa trượt chân và trườn trong bùn.

Related words and phrases