Definition of the word slither

The word "slither" is an Old English term "slīhtran" which means "to move in a wriggling motion." This word evolved over time and appeared in Middle English as "slithren" and "slitheren." It eventually made its way into Middle Dutch and Old Norse as "slīthran" and "slīthra," respectively. In Old Norse, the word was employed to refer to the practice of sliding into certain activities, such as a fight or ambush. It was often used as a strategic tactic by armies to surprise their enemies. The word then evolved to represent the movement of certain animals like snakes and worms that wriggle and slither, adopting meanings that suggest an unwelcome or uncomfortable form of movement. The modern-day English word "slither" retained this meaning, describing the way reptiles move, but the usage of the word is typically reserved for negatively connoted contexts. As such, it has become associated with creeping, slinking, or crawling, which conjures images of unease and intrigue, making it popular in detective fiction and horror novels.