glide

I. verb (glided; gliding) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English glīdan; akin to Old High German glītan to glide Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to move smoothly, continuously, and effortlessly <

swans gliding over the lake

> 2. to go or pass imperceptibly <

hours glided by

> 3. a. of an airplane to descend gradually in controlled flight b. to fly in a glider 4. to produce a glide (as in music or speech) transitive verb to cause to glide II. noun Date: 1584 1. a calm stretch of shallow water flowing smoothly 2. the act or action of gliding 3. portamento 4. a. a less prominent vowel sound produced by the passing of the vocal organs to or from the articulatory position of a speech sound — compare diphthong b. semivowel 5. a device for facilitating movement of something; especially a circular usually metal button attached to the bottom of furniture legs to provide a smooth surface