slip

Slip is a versatile term with multiple meanings across different domains. In everyday use, it most often refers to the act of sliding unintentionally on a surface, such as ice or wet ground, or to something that causes a momentary loss of balance. It can also describe motion that is less than a proper glide, as in slipping past a hurdle.

As a noun, slip can denote the act itself, a small or unintended movement, or a misstep. Expressions like “a slip of the tongue” or “a slip of the pen” describe minor errors in speech or writing. The word can also refer to a short, informal transfer or release, such as a slip of paper or a slip in a schedule.

In clothing, a slip is a woman’s undergarment worn under dresses or skirts to provide smoothness and shape. It may be made of lightweight fabric and can be worn as underwear or as a nightrobe in some contexts.

In nautical and architectural contexts, a slip is a docking space or slot for a boat or ship, typically within a marina or shipyard. A slipway is a ramp used to launch vessels into water. These terms designate places where vehicles or vessels are kept, stored, or transferred.

In engineering and physics, slip describes the difference between the speed of a rotating part and a reference speed, such as the rotor speed in an induction motor compared with synchronous speed. The term also appears in geology to describe the movement along a fault during earthquakes, known as fault slip, and is used to quantify slip rate or total displacement.

Other uses include sewing, where a slip stitch is a simple hand-sewing technique to join fabric loosely. Overall, slip conveys notions of movement, transition, or minor irregularity, depending on the context.