DictionaryRoot: slippen
Middle English

slippen

to escape, move softly and quickly

1 / 1
An older man accidentally slips on a small icy patch: his planted shoe slides forward while his body tips backward and his arms spread to regain balance.
verb / noun

slip

SLIP/slɪp/

To slide out of an intended position.

Etymology

Middle English slippen already meant escaping or moving softly and quickly, which connects directly with quiet movement away. The verb also came to describe an unintended slide, including losing one's footing or sliding out of place.

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