n.
- a fine-grained grey, green, or bluish-purple metamorphic rock easily split into smooth, flat plates.
▸a flat plate of slate used as roofing material.
- a plate of slate formerly used in schools for writing on.
- a bluish-grey colour.
- a list of candidates for election to a post or office.
▸
Brit. a record of a person's debt or credit:
put it on the slate.
▸chiefly N. Amer. a range of something on offer.
- a board showing the identifying details of a take of a film, held in front of the camera at the beginning and end of the take.
v.
- cover (a roof) with slates.
- Brit. informal criticize severely.
- chiefly N. Amer. schedule; plan.
▸nominate as a candidate for an office or post.
Derivative
Etymology
ME sclate, sklate, shortening of OFr. esclate, fem. synonymous with esclat (see slat).