[slate] n [ME, fr. MF esclat splinter] (14c) 1: a piece of construction material (as laminated rock) prepared as a shingle for roofing and siding
2: a dense fine-grained metamorphic rock produced by the compression of various sediments (as clay or shale) so as to develop a characteristic cleavage
3: a tablet (as of slate) used for writing on
4. a: a written or unwritten record (as of deeds) "started with a clean ~" b: a list of candidates for nomination or election
5. a: a dark purplish gray b: any of various grays similar in color to common roofing slates -- slate adj -- slate.like adj
[2]slate vt slat.ed ; slat.ing (15c) 1: to cover with slate or a slatelike substance "~ a roof"
2: to designate for a specified purpose or action: schedule "was slated to direct the play" [3]slate vt slat.ed ; slat.ing [prob. alter. of [1]slat] (1825) 1: to thrash or pummel severely
2. chiefly Brit: to criticize or censure severely