Definition of glide

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glide path >

glide    (gld) KEY 

VERB:
glid·ed, glid·ing, glides
VERB:
intr.

1. To move in a smooth, effortless manner: a submarine gliding through the water. See Synonyms at slide.
2. To move silently and furtively.
3. To occur or pass imperceptibly.
4. To fly without propulsion. Used of an aircraft.
5. Music To blend one tone into the next; slur.
6. Linguistics To articulate a glide in speech.

VERB:
tr.

To cause to move or pass smoothly, silently, or imperceptibly.

NOUN:

1. The act of gliding.
2. Music A slur.
3. Linguistics
   1. The transitional sound produced by passing from the articulatory position of one speech sound to that of another.
   2. See semivowel.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English gliden, from Old English gldan; see ghel-² in Indo-European roots