[sleɪt], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a fine-grained grey, green, or bluish-purple metamorphic rock easily split into smooth, flat plates
(e.g: slate quarries)

- a flat plate of slate formerly used for writing on in schools
(e.g: the teacher was demonstrating, the children copying on to slates)

- a bluish-grey colour
(e.g: suits of slate grey)

- a list of candidates for election to a post or office, typically a group sharing a set of political views
(e.g: candidates on the left's slate won 74 per cent of constituency votes)

- a 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
(e.g: the electronic time-code system allowed us to shoot with or without conventional slates)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English sclate, sklate, shortening of Old French esclate, feminine synonymous with esclat ‘piece broken off’ (see slat)

[sleɪt], (Verb)

Definitions:
- cover (something, especially a roof) with slates
(e.g: he was working for his father slating a new roof)

- criticize severely
(e.g: his work was slated by the critics)

- schedule; plan
(e.g: London shows are slated for late June)

- identify (a take in a film) using a slate
(e.g: the assistant cameraman is about to slate the scene)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English sclate, sklate, shortening of Old French esclate, feminine synonymous with esclat ‘piece broken off’ (see slat)