Slam
/slæm/noun
To shut, strike, or hit with force; also a forceful blow or abrupt closing.
Did you know?Slam is likely imitative in origin, meaning its power comes from sound-symbolism rather than a neat ancient root, which is why it feels so physically violent in the mouth.
Etymological Timeline
Early Modern English
English
slam
“to strike or shut with a sudden, forceful sound”
17th–18th Century
English
slam
“a heavy blow or abrupt, noisy closing”
18th Century
English
slam
“to defeat or criticize overwhelmingly; to hit hard in sport or combat”
Modern English
English
slam
“to shut, hit, or move with violent force”