1. A fine-grained metamorphic rock that splits into thin, smooth-surfaced layers.
2. 1. A piece of this rock cut for use as roofing or surfacing material or as a writing surface.
   2. A writing tablet made of a similar material.
3. A record of past performance or activity: start over with a clean slate.
4. A list of the candidates of a political party running for various offices.
5. A dark or bluish gray to dark bluish or dark purplish gray.

1. Made of a fine-grained metamorphic rock: a slate roof.
2. Of the color slate.

1. To cover (a roof, for example) with slate.
2. To put on a list of candidates.
3. To schedule or designate: Our professor has slated the art history lecture for Thursday afternoon; was slated to direct the studio's next film.

[Middle English sclate, from Old French esclate, splinter, feminine of esclat. See slat.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.