Klisters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A specialized adhesive substance used mainly in skiing to improve grip on snow ; a sticky compound applied to enhance traction on slippery surfaces ; a resinous material utilized in winter sports to help maintain contact and prevent slipping
2. A type of sticky paste employed by athletes for better footing on icy terrain ; a gooey agent used to boost friction in sports activities ; a tacky solution designed to increase stability and reduce slippage during movement on snow
3. A viscous adhesive applied to ski bases for uphill climbing ; a paste that enhances the adhesive interaction between skis and snow ; a grip-enhancing product used in cold weather sports to aid locomotion and control

Etymology: "Klisters" is the plural of "klister", a word English borrowed from Swedish, where "klister" means a sticky paste or glue. The plural form is the one skiers use most, since waxing kits and pastes for grip are typically referred to in the plural. The Swedish word is related to the verb "klistra", meaning to paste or stick things together, which is how the substance was understood before it became a ski term. Skiing is a sport with deep Scandinavian roots, and the English term arrived along with the equipment and techniques that came out of that tradition. Many of the sport's technical words were carried into English from Norwegian and Swedish, and "klister" is one of them, keeping its original sense of an adhesive while narrowing to a specific product used on the base of a ski.

Synonyms: wax, ski wax, glue