Talk:slate

Figurative use
I just stumbled on the following figurative use of the word, which does not seem to fit in any of the definitions yet: ‘… represent dialogue in terms of commitment slates.’ Could somebody provide a suitable definition? H. (talk) 13:51, 4 March 2008 (UTC)

Adjective for the material
Isn't there a second, more literal meaning of the adjective as in "slate roofing"? Jcwf 23:38, 22 November 2011 (UTC)


 * That is attributive usage of the noun. "Tractor" isn't an adjective just because you can have "tractor parts". Equinox ◑ 23:40, 22 November 2011 (UTC)


 * Couldn't the same be said about the color? The color is also mentioned as a noun. Jcwf 23:51, 22 November 2011 (UTC)


 * I don't know. I think there is a dividing line between "noun" colours that came from objects (orange, rose, slate) and more basic colours that may have originally been adjectives. At least in the case of the "material" adjective, we would be in the uncomfortable position of having to declare things like polyvinyl: as adjectives in order to explain things like polyvinyl foam. You could start a WT:BP discussion if you think the colours might deserve different treatment. Equinox ◑ 23:59, 22 November 2011 (UTC)

RFV discussion: February–March 2019
"To punish severely. The boy was slated by his mother for disobeying her." What kind of punishment is meant here? Scolding? Equinox ◑ 08:19, 5 February 2019 (UTC)
 * Century 1911 only has "To haul over the coals; take to task harshly or rudely; berate; abuse; scold; hold up to ridicule; criticize severely: as, the work was slated in the reviews." DCDuring (talk) 09:26, 5 February 2019 (UTC)


 * Criticism is already covered under a separate sense though. Equinox ◑ 04:14, 6 February 2019 (UTC)
 * I think synonyms are and the less formal, which do not specify the kind of punishment either.  --Lambiam 13:34, 6 February 2019 (UTC)

RFV-failed Kiwima (talk) 19:24, 8 March 2019 (UTC)

Film clapperboards
The word "slate" seems to be used in reference to, or in association with, the clapperboards used in filming. I'm not sure whether it's a distinct sense because clapperboards appear to be made of slate (or something similar) and can be chalked on. Equinox ◑ 06:20, 25 January 2021 (UTC)