Definition

1. Noun:
   • The period of minimal tidal current: "Slack tide" refers to the short interval at the turn of the tide when the horizontal movement of water (the tidal current) is at its weakest or ceases altogether before reversing direction. It occurs between the ebb (outgoing) and flood (incoming) tides.

Usage

• "Slack tide" is a technical term used primarily in navigation, sailing, fishing, and marine contexts. It describes a specific, often brief, hydrological condition.
• It is typically used with the definite article "the" (e.g., ) or prepositions like "at" or "around" (e.g., ).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The captain decided to navigate the narrow channel during the slack tide to avoid the strong currents.
  • Fishing is often best just before or after slack tide, when the water begins to move.
  • We anchored the boat at slack tide, when the water was almost perfectly still.

Advanced Usage

• "Slack water": This is a synonymous term often used interchangeably with "slack tide" to describe the same phenomenon of minimal tidal flow.
  • Divers entered the water during slack water for better visibility and safety.

Variants and Related Words

• Slack (adj., n.): As an adjective, it can describe something loose or not taut. As a noun in a tidal context, it is a shortened, informal form of "slack tide" or "slack water."
  • We'll cross at slack.
• Ebb tide (n.): The period when the tide is going out.
• Flood tide (n.): The period when the tide is coming in.
• Turn of the tide (n. phrase): The moment when the tide changes direction, encompassing the slack period.

Synonyms

• Slack water: The period of still or very slow-moving water between tidal currents.
• Stand of the tide: A less common synonym for the period at high or low water when there is little vertical or horizontal change.

Related Phrases

• High water slack: The slack period that occurs at or near high tide.
• Low water slack: The slack period that occurs at or near low tide.

Noun

1. the occurrence of relatively still water at the turn of the (low) tide