slate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (formerly) a writing tablet made of slate
  2. noun thin layers of rock used for roofing
    slating.
  3. noun a fine-grained metamorphic rock that can be split into thin layers
  4. noun a list of candidates nominated by a political party to run for election to public offices
    ticket.
  5. verb designate or schedule
    • He slated his talk for 9 AM
    • She was slated to be his successor
  6. verb enter on a list or slate for an election
    • He was slated for borough president
  7. verb cover with slate
    • slate the roof

WordNet

Slate noun
Etymology
OE. slat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. éclat, fr. OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. éclater, fr. OHG. sliezen to tear, slit, split, fr. slizan to slit, G. schleissen. See Slit, v. t., and cf. Eclat.
Definitions
  1. (Min.) An argillaceous rock which readily splits into thin plates; argillite; argillaceous schist.
  2. Any rock or stone having a slaty structure.
  3. A prepared piece of such stone. Especially: (a) A thin, flat piece, for roofing or covering houses, etc. (b) A tablet for writing upon.
  4. An artificial material, resembling slate, and used for the above purposes.
  5. A thin plate of any material; a flake. Obs.
  6. (Politics) A list of candidates, prepared for nomination or for election; a list of candidates, or a programme of action, devised beforehand. Cant, U.S. Bartlett.
Slate transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Slated; present participle & verbal noun Slating
Definitions
  1. To cover with slate, or with a substance resembling slate; as, to slate a roof; to slate a globe.
  2. To register (as on a slate and subject to revision), for an appointment. Polit. Cant
Slate transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. AS. sl&aemac;ting a privilege of hunting.
Definitions
  1. To set a dog upon; to bait; to slat. See 2d Slat, 3. Prov. Eng. & Scot. Written also slete. Ray.
  2. To schedule.
  3. To reserve or designate for a specific purpose.

Webster 1913