slope

== English == === Etymology === From aslope (adjective, adverb). === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /sloʊp/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /sləʊp/ Rhymes: -əʊp === Noun === slope (countable and uncountable, plural slopes) A surface that either inclines or declines in a regular manner from the perspective of an observer. An area of ground that tends evenly upward or downward. The degree to which a surface tends upward or downward. (mathematics, of a line, with respect to a fixed coordinate system) The ratio of the vertical and horizontal distances between two points lying on the line. (mathematics, of a curve at a given point; sometimes proscribed, see Usage notes) The slope of the line tangent to the curve at the given point. The angle a roof surface makes with the horizontal, expressed as a ratio of the units of vertical rise to the units of horizontal length (sometimes referred to as run). a concept or idea which suggests a type of oblique or accelerating progression (vulgar, offensive, ethnic slur) An East or Southeast Asian person, especially one that is Chinese. (UK, slang, dated) A hasty departure. ==== Usage notes ==== In mathematical contexts, lines that are vertical (with respect to a given coordinate system) are said to either have infinite slope, or to have their slope undefined. While common in pre-university level mathematics and in introductory calculus, the use of slope to refer to the slope of a tangent line of a curve is proscribed in higher mathematics, where application is restricted to lines. ==== Synonyms ==== (area of ground that tends evenly upward or downward): bank, embankment, gradient, hill, incline (degree to which a surface tends upward or downward): gradient (mathematics): first derivative, gradient (offensive: Chinese person): Chinaman, Chink ==== Translations ==== === Verb === slope (third-person singular simple present slopes, present participle sloping, simple past and past participle sloped) (intransitive) To tend steadily upward or downward. (transitive) To form with a slope; to give an oblique or slanting direction to; to incline or slant. (UK, colloquial, usually followed by a preposition) To try to move surreptitiously. (military) To hold a rifle at a slope with forearm perpendicular to the body in front holding the butt, the rifle resting on the shoulder. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === slope (comparative more slope, superlative most slope) (obsolete) Sloping. === Adverb === slope (comparative more slope, superlative most slope) (obsolete) slopingly === Anagrams === poles, olpes, S-pole, lopes, eslop, LEPOs, Lopes, spole, Poles == Dutch == === Pronunciation === === Verb === slope (dated or formal) singular past subjunctive of sluipen (dated or formal) singular present subjunctive of slopen === Anagrams === sloep, spoel