slater

¹ American  

[sley-ter] / ˈsleɪ tər /

noun

1. a person who lays slates, slate, as for roofing.

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Slater ² American  

[sley-ter] / ˈsleɪ tər /

noun

1. Samuel, 1768–1835, U.S. industrialist, born in England.

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slater British  

/ ˈsleɪtə /

noun

1. a person trained in laying roof slates

2. dialect a woodlouse See also sea slater

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Etymology

Origin of slater

First recorded in 1375–1425, slater is from the late Middle English word sclater. See slate ¹, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Louise recounts a slater called John McWilliam, who fled to Stranraer after being accused of witchcraft for a second time, before going on trial in Edinburgh.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2025

He promised an updated list, but more than six month slater, it has yet to appear.

From BBC • May 26, 2025

That is why the slater's calling is such a noble calling; the slater is the most manifest picture of how Providence holds the man who works at an honest profession safe in its hands.

From The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, Volume 09 Friedrich Hebbel and Otto Ludwig by Various

As mining did not turn out remunerative enough, I left it for the town, where in succession I became typographer, slater, plumber, etc.

From Woman under socialism by De Leon, Daniel

"He is a good slater," says one, and, speaking of soldiers, remarks, "They are perfect fools."

From Pascal's Pensées by Pascal, Blaise