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.
a thin piece or plate of this rock or a similar material, used especially for roofing or as a writing surface.
a dull, dark bluish gray.
a list of candidates, officers, etc., to be considered for nomination, appointment, election, or the like.
verb (used with object),slat·ed,slat·ing.
to cover with or as with slate.
to write or set down for nomination or appointment: the district leader slated for city judge.
to plan or designate (something) for a particular place and time; schedule: The premiere was slated for January.
to censure or criticize harshly or violently; scold.
to punish severely.
Idioms
clean slate, an unsullied record; a record marked by creditable conduct: to start over with a clean slate.
Origin of slate
1
1300–50;Middle Englishsclate < Middle Frenchesclate, feminine of esclat piece split off; see slat1
slate
2
[sleyt]
verb (used with object),slat·ed,slat·ing.British.
to sic or set a dog on (a person or animal).
Origin of slate
2
1300–50;Middle Englishslayten < Old Norse*sleita; cognate with Old Englishslǣtan
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
(as modifier)a slate tile
a roofing tile of slate
(formerly) a writing tablet of slate
a dark grey colour, often with a purplish or bluish tinge
mainlyUS and Canadiana list of candidates in an election
films
the reference information written on a clapperboard
informalthe clapperboard itself
clean slatea record without dishonour
have a slate looseBritish and Irishinformalto be eccentric or crazy
on the slateBritishinformalon credit
wipe the slate cleaninformalto make a fresh start, esp by forgetting past differences
verb(tr)
to cover (a roof) with slates
mainlyUSto enter (a person's name) on a list, esp on a political slate
to choose or destinehe was slated to go far
to plan or schedulethe trial is slated to begin in three weeks
adjective
of the colour slate
Word Origin for slate
C14: from Old French esclate, from esclat a fragment; see slat1
mid-14c., from Old French esclate, fem. of esclat "split piece, splinter" (Modern French éclat; see slat), so called because the rock splits easily into thin plates. As an adjective, 1510s. As a color, first recorded 1813. Sense of "a writing tablet" (made of slate), first recorded late 14c., led to that of "list of preliminary candidates prepared by party managers," first recorded 1842, from notion of being easily altered or erased. Clean slate (1856) is an image from customer accounts chalked up in a tavern.
slate
v.
1520s, "to cover with slates" (earlier sclatten, late 15c.), from slate (n.). Meaning "propose, schedule" is from 1883; earlier "to nominate" (1804); the notion is of writing on a slate board. Related: Slated; slating.
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.
