sleɪt n.,
v., & adj. --n. 1 a fine-grained
grey,
green, or bluish-purple
metamorphic rock
easily split into flat
smooth plates. 2 a
piece of
such a
plate used as roofing-material. 3 a piece of such a plate used
for writing on, usu. framed in
wood. 4
the colour of slate. 5 US a list of nominees for
office etc. --v.tr. 1
cover with slates
esp. as
roofing. 2
Brit. colloq.
criticize severely;
scold. 3 US
make arrangements for (an
event etc.). 4 US
propose or
nominate for office etc. --adj.
made of slate. øon the slate Brit. recorded as a
debt to be
paid. slate-blue (or -black) a
shade of blue (or black) occurring in slate. slate-colour a
dark bluish or greenish grey. slate-coloured of
this colour. slate-grey a shade of grey occurring in slate. slate-pencil a
small rod of
soft slate used for writing on slate.
wipe the slate
clean forgive or
cancel the
record of
past offences. øøslating n. slaty adj. [ME s(c)late f. OF esclate, fem.
form of esclat SLAT]
