slate

¹

[ sleyt ]

noun

1. a fine-grained rock formed by the metamorphosis of clay, shale, etc., that tends to split along parallel cleavage planes, usually at an angle to the planes of stratification.
2. a thin, flat piece or plate of fine-grained, easily split rock or a similar material, used especially for roofing or as a writing surface.
3. slate gray ( def ).
4. a list of candidates, officers, etc., to be considered for nomination, appointment, election, or the like:

   He has added his name to the slate of mayoral candidates.

5. tablet ( def 5 ).

verb (used with object)

, slat·ed, slat·ing.

1. to cover with plates of fine-grained, easily split rock or a similar material:

   Our team has years of experience with slating and tiling roofs.

2. to write or set down for nomination or appointment:

   There are 39 lawyers hoping to be slated for judge.

3. to plan or designate (something) for a particular place and time; schedule:

   The premiere was slated for January.

4. Chiefly British. to censure, scold, or criticize harshly:

   She was slated by the press for making exaggerated claims in her memoir.

5. to punish severely.

slate

²

[ sleyt ]

verb (used with object)

, British Dialect.

, slat·ed, slat·ing.

1. to sic or set a dog on (a person or animal).

slate

¹

/ sleɪt /

verb

1. to criticize harshly; censure
2. to punish or defeat severely

slate

²

/ sleɪt /

noun

1. 1. a compact fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the effects of heat and pressure on shale. It can be split into thin layers along natural cleavage planes and is used as a roofing and paving material
   2. ( as modifier )

      a slate tile

2. a roofing tile of slate
3. (formerly) a writing tablet of slate
4. a dark grey colour, often with a purplish or bluish tinge
5. a list of candidates in an election
6. films
   1. the reference information written on a clapperboard
   2. the clapperboard itself
7. clean slate
   a record without dishonour
8. have a slate loose informal.
   to be eccentric or crazy
9. on the slate informal.
   on credit
10. wipe the slate clean informal.
    to make a fresh start, esp by forgetting past differences

verb

1. to cover (a roof) with slates
2. to enter (a person's name) on a list, esp on a political slate
3. 1. to choose or destine

      he was slated to go far

   2. to plan or schedule

      the trial is slated to begin in three weeks

adjective

1. of the colour slate

slate

/ slāt /

1. A fine-grained metamorphic rock that forms when shale undergoes metamorphosis. Slate splits into thin layers with smooth surfaces. It ranges in color from gray to black or from red to green, depending on the minerals contained in the shale from which it formed.

Word History and Origins

Origin of slate¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English sclate, from Middle French esclate, feminine of esclat “piece split off”; slat ¹

Origin of slate²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English slaiten, from Old Norse sleita (unrecorded)

Word History and Origins

Origin of slate¹

C19: probably from slate ¹

Origin of slate²

C14: from Old French esclate, from esclat a fragment; see slat ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. clean slate, a record containing no negative reports, notes about bad behavior, reprimands, failures, etc.:

   After a talk with the boss about his misconduct, he was allowed to start over with a clean slate.

More idioms and phrases containing slate

In addition to the idiom beginning with slate , also see clean slate .

Example Sentences

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Related Words

• ballot
• roster