slate

The definition of slate is a hard rock that splits into smooth layers, or a list of people running for an office.

(noun)

  1. An example of a slate is a knife-sharpening stone.
  2. An example of a slate is everyone running for president of the class.

Slate is defined as to schedule or put on a list.

(verb)

An example of to slate is an item being put on a meeting agenda.

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See slate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a hard, fine-grained, metamorphic rock, typically formed from shale, that cleaves naturally into thin, smooth-surfaced layers
  2. a thin piece of slate or slatelike material, esp. one used as a roofing tile or as a tablet for writing on with chalk
  3. the bluish-gray color of most slate
  4. ☆ a list of candidates proposed for nomination or election

Origin: ME sclate < OFr esclate, fem. of esclat: see slat

transitive verb slated, slating

  1. to cover with slate
  2. ☆ to put on a list or designate, as for candidacy, appointment, engagement, etc.; choose or schedule

transitive verb slated, slating

  1. to punish severely, as by thrashing
  2. to scold or criticize harshly

Origin: prob. < ON sleita, strife (akin to OE slætan, to bait, torment)

See slate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits into thin, smooth-surfaced layers.
  2. a. A piece of this rock cut for use as roofing or surfacing material or as a writing surface.
    b. A writing tablet made of a similar material.
  3. A record of past performance or activity: start over with a clean slate.
  4. A list of the candidates of a political party running for various offices.
  5. A dark or bluish gray to dark bluish or dark purplish gray.
adjective
  1. Made of a fine-grained metamorphic rock: a slate roof.
  2. Of the color slate.
transitive verb slat·ed, slat·ing, slates
  1. To cover (a roof, for example) with slate.
  2. To put on a list of candidates.
  3. To schedule or designate: Our professor has slated the art history lecture for Thursday afternoon; was slated to direct the studio's next film.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English sclate

Origin: , from Old French esclate, splinter

Origin: , feminine of esclat; see slat

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