Long, narrow openings or cuts in something.
From Middle English 'sliten,' possibly from Old Norse 'slitra' (to split or tear). The word described the action of making a narrow cut, which became the noun for the opening itself.
Camera apertures are measured in F-stops partly because photographers originally controlled light by adjusting physical slits in their lenses—the word 'slit' still echoes in modern photography!
Slur history and sexual objectification contexts. In certain registers, term used dehumanizingly toward women (e.g., eyes-related racism, gendered slurs in some cultures).
Use neutrally for object descriptions (cuts, openings). Avoid in contexts risking objectification or slur deployment.
["cuts","openings","gaps"]
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