slur

/slə:/

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The word "slur" can have several meanings in English, and it's important to understand the context in which it is used. Here’s a simple explanation to help you understand:

1. Definition and Usage:

As a Noun: - A slur can refer to a disparaging remark, which means a comment that belittles or insults someone. This is often related to race, gender, or other personal attributes. For example, if someone makes a racial slur, they are using a derogatory term based on someone's race.

2. Advanced Usage:

• In a more advanced context, you might see "slur" used in discussions about social justice, where it refers to the impact of derogatory language on marginalized communities.
• In music, understanding slurs is essential for performance, as it affects the expression and flow of the piece.

3. Word Variants:

• Slurred (adjective): Describing speech that is unclear.
  • Example: "Her slurred speech made it hard to understand her."
• Slurring (verb form): The act of speaking unclearly or making disparaging remarks.
  • Example: "He was slurring his words after a few drinks."

4. Different Meanings:

• A slur can also refer to a blemish or mark, as in a smudge of dirt on a surface.
  • Example: "There was a slur of ink on the paper."

5. Synonyms:

• For the disparaging remark meaning: insult, derogatory term, aspersion.
• For the unclear speech meaning: mumble, stumble, mispronounce.

6. Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms directly related to "slur," but you might come across phrases like "slur over" which means to gloss over or avoid discussing something in detail.
  • Example: "He tried to slur over the mistakes he made in the report."

7. Conclusion:

Understanding the word "slur" requires attention to context, as it can describe both negative speech and a musical technique.

Academic

Noun

1. a blemish made by dirt
   • he had a smudge on his cheek
2. a disparaging remark
   • in the 19th century any reference to female sexuality was considered a vile aspersion
   • it is difficult for a woman to understand a man's sensitivity to any slur on his virility
3. (music) a curved line spanning notes that are to be played legato

Verb

1. become vague or indistinct
   • The distinction between the two theories blurred
2. utter indistinctly
3. speak disparagingly of; e.g., make a racial slur
   • your comments are slurring your co-workers
4. play smoothly or legato
   • the pianist slurred the most beautiful passage in the sonata

Synonyms

• smudge
• spot
• blot
• daub
• smear
• smirch
• aspersion
• blur
• dim