n. One who is habitually careless in personal appearance or work. [Middle English slovein, perhaps from Middle Flemish sloovin, a scold, gossip, from Middle Low German slôven, to dress carelessly; akin to Dutch sloof, untidy woman; see sleubh- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.