slate

/sleit/
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slate

A worker carefully places a slate tile on the roof of a house.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A fine-grained metamorphic rock: A type of rock that splits easily into thin, flat layers. It is often dark grey in color.
    • A roofing material: Thin, flat pieces of slate rock used to cover roofs.
    • A writing surface (historical): A small, flat piece of slate, often framed in wood, used in the past for writing with chalk.
    • A list of candidates: A list of people nominated by a political party to run for election.
  2. Verb:

    • To cover with slate: To install slate tiles on a roof or other surface.
    • To schedule or designate: To plan or designate something for a particular time or purpose.
    • To criticize severely (informal, chiefly British): To reprimand or attack someone harshly in speech or writing.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The old schoolhouse had a roof made of slate.
    • The teacher wrote the lesson on a slate.
    • The party approved the final slate of candidates.
  • Verb:

    • They decided to slate the roof for better durability.
    • The meeting is slated to begin at 3 PM.
    • The critic slated the new play in his review.
Advanced Usage
  • "to be slated for": To be planned or intended for a particular fate or purpose.
    • The old building is slated for demolition next month.
  • "to slate someone/something for": To designate or nominate someone for a role.
    • She was slated for the position of department head.
Variants and Related Words
  • Slaty (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of slate, especially in color.
    • The sky had a slaty grey appearance before the storm.
  • Slating (noun): The action of covering with slate; or severe criticism.
    • The slating of the roof took two weeks.
    • The film received a brutal slating from the press.
Synonyms
  • Noun (rock): Shale, flagstone.
  • Verb (schedule): Schedule, plan, designate.
  • Verb (criticize): Lambaste, pan, criticize.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases
  • Slate off (informal, rare): To leave or depart.
    • It's late, I think I'll slate off now.
Related Idioms
  • A clean slate: A fresh start, an opportunity to begin again without being held back by past mistakes.
    • After the apology, they decided to start with a clean slate.
  • On the slate: Recorded as a debt to be paid later, especially in a pub.
    • Put this round of drinks on the slate; I'll pay next week.
  • Wipe the slate clean: To forget past mistakes or debts and start over.
    • The agreement allowed both companies to wipe the slate clean.
slate

A worker carefully places a slate tile on the roof of a house.

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