slur

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : ligne courbe en musique indiquant un legato ; remarque désobligeante ou insultante ; ou tache ou trace de saleté.

A noun with multiple meanings: a curved line in music indicating notes to be played legato; a disparaging or insulting remark; or a blemish or smear made by dirt.

1. Musical slurB2formalart

   A curved line in musical notation indicating that the notes it spans should be played legato, or smoothly connected.

   Liaison d'articulation

   • The violinist played the notes under the slur with a smooth bow stroke.
   • In the sheet music, a slur connects the two quarter notes.
   • The composer used a slur to indicate a seamless transition between pitches.

2. Insulting remarkB1formal

   A disparaging or insulting comment directed at someone, often based on their identity or character.

   Insulte

   • He was fired for making a racial slur against a coworker.
   • The politician apologized for the slur he used during the debate.
   • She ignored the slur and continued with her presentation.

   Synonymesaspersionbarbcalumnydefamationdisparagementepithetinsultjibelibelslanderslightsmeartaunt

   Antonymesaccoladecomplimentpraise

3. Dirty mark or stainB2formal

   A mark, stain, or blemish that spoils the appearance of a surface.

   Tache (qui salit une surface)

   • There was a dark slur of grease on his white shirt.
   • The window had a slur of dirt that was hard to clean.
   • She wiped the slur of mud off her shoe.

   Synonymesblemishblotsmirchsmudgesplotchstain

   Antonymescleanlinesspurityspotlessness

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner une parole peu claire ou indistincte, souvent due à l'ivresse ou à la fatigue, ou pour insulter ou rabaisser quelqu'un.

A verb used to indicate the act of speaking unclearly or indistinctly, often due to intoxication or fatigue, or to insult or disparage someone.

1. Play smoothly or legatoB2formal

   To perform a sequence of notes in a smooth, connected manner without breaks.

   jouer en legato

   • The musician learned to slur the notes on the violin.
   • In this piece, you should slur the first three notes together.
   • The pianist practiced slurs to achieve a legato effect.

   Antonymesstaccato

2. Speak disparaginglyB2formal

   To make insulting or offensive remarks about someone, often based on race, gender, or other characteristics.

   dénigrer

   • He was fired for sluring his colleague during the meeting.
   • The politician was criticized for sluring minority groups.
   • It is never acceptable to slur someone because of their background.

   Synonymesaspersebelittledefamedenigratedisparageinsultmalignslandertraducevilify

   Antonymescommendcomplimentlaudpraise

3. Utter indistinctlyB1informal

   To speak unclearly or in a way that is difficult to understand, often due to intoxication or fatigue.

   parler de façon indistincte

   • After a few drinks, he began to slur his words.
   • She was so tired that her speech started to slur.
   • The patient's words were slurred after the medication.

   Synonymesdrawldronefumblegarblemumblemutterstammer

4. Become vague or indistinctB2formal

   To lose clarity or definition, becoming blurred or unclear.

   Devenir indistinct

   • The lines between reality and fantasy began to slur in his mind.
   • The colors in the painting slur together at the edges.
   • As the fog rolled in, the outlines of the buildings started to slur.

   Synonymesblurclouddimfog

   Antonymesclarifyfocussharpen

Variantes phrasalslur over