slam
pronunciation
How to pronounce slam in British English:
UK [slæm]
How to pronounce slam in American English:
US [slæm]
-
- Noun:
- winning all or all but one of the tricks in bridge
- the noise made by the forcefaul impact of two objects
- a forceful impact that makes a loud noise
- an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
-
- Verb:
- close violently
- strike violently
- dance the slam dance
- throw violently
Word Origin
- slam (n.1)
- 1670s, "a severe blow," probably from a Scandinavian source (compare Norwegian slamre, Swedish slemma "to slam, bang") of imitative origin. Meaning "a violent closing of a door" is from 1817. Meaning "an insult, put-down" is from 1884. Slam-bang recorded by 1806 (also slap-bang, 1785). Slam-dunk is from 1976; early use often in reference to Julius Erving. Slam-dance is attested by 1987 (slam by itself in this sense is recorded from 1983).
- slam (n.2)
- "a winning of all tricks in a card game," 1660s, earlier the name of a card game (also called ruff), 1620s, used especially in whist, of obscure origin. Grand slam in bridge first recorded 1892; earlier in related card games from 1814; figurative sense of "complete success" is attested from 1920; in baseball sense from 1935.
- slam (v.)
- 1690s, "to beat, slap;" 1775 as "to shut with force," from slam (n.1). Meaning "throw or push with force" is from 1870. Meaning "say uncomplimentary things about" is from 1916. Related: Slammed; slamming.
Example
- 1. A grand slam for international financial governance .
- 2. Pixie dust loses magic as foreclosures slam utopian disney town
- 3. Slam contenders complain it is an additional strain over the course of what is already a hectic season .
- 4. American players led the field in the 1990s , but have not won a slam since 2003 .
- 5. Wintour first sought out federer at the 2002 u. s. open , before he won his first grand slam .