slate

Noun

1. (uncountable) A fine-grained homogeneous sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash which has been metamorphosed so that it cleaves easily into thin layers.
2. (uncountable) The bluish-grey colour of most slate.
3. (countable) A chalkboard, sheet of slate for writing on with chalk or with a thin rod of slate (a slate pencil) formerly commonly used by both students and teachers in schools.
4. (countable) A roofing-tile made of slate.
5. (countable) A record of money owed.
6. (US, countable) A list of affiliated candidates for an election.
7. (US, countable) A schedule.
8. (countable, uncountable) A collection of movie releases in a certain period, either from one studio or Hollywood as a whole.
9. (countable, uncountable) An artificial material resembling slate and used for the same purposes.
10. (countable, uncountable) A thin plate of any material; a flake.
11. (countable, uncountable) A tablet computer.
12. (countable, uncountable) A clapperboard.

Adj

Having the bluish-grey/gray colour of slate.

Verb

1. (transitive) To cover with slate.
2. (British, transitive) To criticise harshly.
3. (US, transitive) To schedule.
4. (US, transitive) To anticipate or strongly expect.
5. (regional, transitive) To set a dog upon (a person).
6. (transitive) To nominate, appoint, or designate.
7. (transitive) To record a synchronization mark using a clapperboard.
8. (obsolete, transitive) To bet heavily against (a contender in a race).

Pronounced as (IPA)

/sleɪt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: slate

Cognate with French: éclat

Inherited from Middle English: slatten

In summary

From Middle English slate, slat, slatte, sclate, sclatte, from Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat), from Old French esclater (“to break, shatter”), from Frankish *slaitijan (“to split, break”), from Proto-Germanic *slaitijaną, causative of *slītaną (“to cut up, split”). Doublet of éclat.

Synonyms

ticket

🎫

schist

shale

plank

register

slating

board

blackboard

chalkboard

list

roofing slate

give

tablet

designate

enjoin

flag

flagstone

flake

govern

lag

lath

lecture

listing

make a motion

mandate

molding

moulding

ordain

order

place

plate

post

program

propose

propound

put forward

quarry

rate

rebuke

record

reprimand

reproach

reprove

requisition

revile

roll

schedule

scold

shiver

slab

Translations

ardoise

pizarra

ardesia

Schiefer

lei

ardósia

lavagna

Schiefertafel

leisteen

Tafel

łupek

σχιστόλιθος

pissarra

stroncare

afkraken

Sentences

The slab was hewn from heavy blocks of slate .