sleek
advEtymology A late variant of slick; cognate to German schleichen (Old High German slihhan) and Dutch slijk (“mud, slime”). Compare slink.
1
Colloquial, Dated With ease and dexterity.
sleek
adj/sliːk/
Etymology A late variant of slick; cognate to German schleichen (Old High German slihhan) and Dutch slijk (“mud, slime”). Compare slink.
1
Having an even, smooth surface; smooth
- sleek hair
- So sleek her skin, so faultless was her make.1717, John Dryden, Samuel Garth, et al., “Book 1”, in Metamorphoses, translation of Metamorphoses by Ovid, line 837:
2
Glossy.
3
Not rough or harsh.
- Those rugged names to our like mouths grow sleek.1673, John Milton, “Sonnet 11”, in Poems, line 10:
4
Slim and streamlined; not plump, thick, or stocky.
- But if it were like a rabbit that Rosa went, she came back like a weasel or some such sleek and lissom creature.1961, Xavier Herbert, Soldiers' Women, Netley, SA: Fontana Books, published 1978, page 99:
5
Of stock animals Healthy, well-fed and well-groomed; in good condition.
6
Dated Dated form of slick (“convincing but untrustworthy”).
- 'Are these the Carrara marbles?' the lady queried. 'Yes, madam,' responded the sleek salesman.1892, The Critic, volume 20, page 229:
- Derived terms
- sleekly, sleekness, sleekstone