01 n. An argillaceous rock which readily splits into thin plates; argillite; argillaceous schist.
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1.
An argillaceous rock which readily splits into thin plates; argillite; argillaceous schist.(Min.)
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2.
Any rock or stone having a slaty structure.
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3.
A prepared piece of such stone.
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4.
An artificial material, resembling slate, and used for the above purposes.
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5.
A thin plate of any material; a flake.[Obs.]
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6.
A list of candidates, prepared for nomination or for election; a list of candidates, or a programme of action, devised beforehand.(Politics) [Cant, U.S.]
Phrases & compounds
Adhesive slate —
a kind of slate of a greenish gray color, which absorbs water rapidly, and adheres to the tongue; whence the name.
Aluminous slate —
a kind of slate containing sulphate of alumina, -- used in the manufacture of alum.
Bituminous slate —
a soft species of sectile clay slate, impregnated with bitumen.
Hornblende slate —
a slaty rock, consisting essentially of hornblende and feldspar, useful for flagging on account of its toughness.
Slate ax —
a mattock with an ax end, used in shaping slates for roofs, and making holes in them for the nails.
Slate clay —
an indurated clay, forming one of the alternating beds of the coal measures, consisting of an infusible compound of alumina and silica, and often used for making fire bricks.
Slate globe —
a globe the surface of which is made of an artificial slatelike material.
Slate pencil —
a pencil of slate, or of soapstone, used for writing on a slate.
Slate rocks —
rocks which split into thin laminae, not necessarily parallel to the stratification; foliated rocks.
Slate spar —
a variety of calcite of silvery white luster and of a slaty structure.
Transparent slate —
a plate of translucent material, as ground glass, upon which a copy of a picture, placed beneath it, can be made by tracing.