slate

noun

• 1 [mass noun] a fine-grained grey, green, or bluish-purple metamorphic rock easily split into smooth, flat plates: [as modifier]:slate quarries a slate floor

• 2a flat plate of slate used as roofing material: a loose slate falls from the roof [as modifier]:a grey slate roof
• a flat plate of slate formerly used for writing on in schools: the teacher was demonstrating, the children copying on to slates
• British a record of a person’s debit or credit (in pubs and shops formerly written on a slate):‘Five quid,’ said the barman. ‘Put it on my slate,’ I suggested
• a small portable computer that accepts input directly on to its screen rather than via a keyboard or mouse; a tablet computer: after getting our hands on one this afternoon, we found that it’s a solid, well-performing slate that’s easy on the eyes

• 3 [mass noun, usually as modifier] a bluish-grey colour:suits of slate grey

• 4a list of candidates for election to a post or office, typically a group sharing a set of political views:candidates on the left’s slate won 74 per cent of constituency votes
• chiefly North American a range of something on offer:the company has revealed details of a $60m slate of film productions

• 5a board showing the identifying details of a take in a film, held in front of the camera at the beginning and end of the take: the electronic time-code system allowed us to shoot with or without conventional slates

verb

• 1cover (something, especially a roof) with slates: he was working for his father slating a new roof (as adjective slated)a slated roof

• 2British informal criticize severely:his work was slated by the critics

• 3chiefly North American schedule; plan:London shows are slated for late June [with infinitive]:construction is slated to begin late next year
• nominate (someone) as a candidate for an office or post:I understand that I am being slated for promotion

• 4identify (a take in a film) using a slate: the assistant cameraman is about to slate the scene