-
Slew is a noun that refers to a large or excessive number or quantity of something. It can also be used as a verb that means to turn or twist suddenly, or to pivot on one point.
As a noun, slew is often used to describe a great number or multitude of things. It suggests an overwhelming or excessive quantity, often implying difficulty in dealing with or managing such a large amount. For example, "He had a slew of emails to respond to after being away on vacation."
Slew can also be used as a verb, particularly in the context of movement. It describes a sudden or rapid change in direction or rotation, often involving a pivot or twist. For instance, "The car slewed to the right to avoid an accident."
In a broader sense, slew can also connote an abrupt or sudden change or shift, whether in behavior, circumstances, or perspective. It implies a swift and noticeable alteration or deviation from a previous state. For example, "After the scandal, there was a slew of resignations from the company's board."
Overall, the term "slew" captures the notion of a large amount or number, as well as sudden or rapid movements or changes.
-
• Pt. Of slay, which see.
• To turn round, as a mast or boom about its axis, without removing it from its place; to turn round about.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "slew" is of Irish origin. It comes from the Irish word "sluagh" which means a crowd or a multitude. In the 19th century, "slew" entered the English language as a noun meaning a large number or a multitude. Over time, it also began to be used as a verb meaning to turn or twist suddenly. This usage might be influenced by the fact that "slew" sounds similar to "slue", which means to turn sharply.
CONDITIONAL
I
would slew
you
would slew
he/she/it
would slew
we
would slew
they
would slew
I
would slay
we
would slay
you
would slay
he/she/it
would slay
they
would slay
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be slewing
you
would be slewing
he/she/it
would be slewing
we
would be slewing
they
would be slewing
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have slew
you
would have slew
he/she/it
would have slew
we
would have slew
they
would have slew
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been slewing
you
would have been slewing
he/she/it
would have been slewing
we
would have been slewing
they
would have been slewing
FUTURE
I
will slew
you
will slew
he/she/it
will slew
we
will slew
they
will slew
I
will slay
we
will slay
you
will slay
he/she/it
will slay
they
will slay
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be slewing
you
will be slewing
he/she/it
will be slewing
we
will be slewing
they
will be slewing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have slewed
you
will have slewed
he/she/it
will have slewed
we
will have slewed
they
will have slewed
I
will have slain
we
will have slain
you
will have slain
he/she/it
will have slain
they
will have slain
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been slewing
you
will have been slewing
he/she/it
will have been slewing
we
will have been slewing
they
will have been slewing
IMPERATIVE
you
slew
we
let´s slew
to slew
PAST
I
slewed
you
slewed
he/she/it
slewed
we
slewed
they
slewed
he/she/it
slew
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was slewing
you
were slewing
he/she/it
was slewing
we
were slewing
they
were slewing
PAST PARTICIPLE
slewed
PAST PERFECT
I
had slewed
you
had slewed
he/she/it
had slewed
we
had slewed
they
had slewed
I
had slain
we
had slain
you
had slain
he/she/it
had slain
they
had slain
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been slewing
you
had been slewing
he/she/it
had been slewing
we
had been slewing
they
had been slewing
PRESENT
I
slew
you
slew
he/she/it
slews
we
slew
they
slew
I
slay
we
slay
you
slay
he/she/it
slays
they
slay
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am slewing
you
are slewing
he/she/it
is slewing
we
are slewing
they
are slewing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
slewing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have slewed
you
have slewed
he/she/it
has slewed
we
have slewed
they
have slewed
I
have slain
we
have slain
you
have slain
he/she/it
has slain
they
have slain
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been slewing
you
have been slewing
he/she/it
has been slewing
we
have been slewing
they
have been slewing
I
am slaying
we
are slaying
you
are slaying
he/she/it
is slaying
they
are slaying
I
was slaying
we
were slaying
you
were slaying
he/she/it
was slaying
they
were slaying
I
will be slaying
we
will be slaying
you
will be slaying
he/she/it
will be slaying
they
will be slaying
I
have been slaying
we
have been slaying
you
have been slaying
he/she/it
has been slaying
they
have been slaying
I
had been slaying
we
had been slaying
you
had been slaying
he/she/it
had been slaying
they
had been slaying
I
will have been slaying
we
will have been slaying
you
will have been slaying
he/she/it
will have been slaying
they
will have been slaying
I
would have slain
we
would have slain
you
would have slain
he/she/it
would have slain
they
would have slain
I
would be slaying
we
would be slaying
you
would be slaying
he/she/it
would be slaying
they
would be slaying
I
would have been slaying
we
would have been slaying
you
would have been slaying
he/she/it
would have been slaying
they
would have been slaying