mid-14c., from Old French esclate, fem. of esclat "split piece, splinter" (Modern French éclat; see slat), so called because the rock splits easily into thin plates. As an adjective, 1510s. As a color, first recorded 1813. Sense of "a writing tablet" (made of slate), first recorded late 14c., led to that of "list of preliminary candidates prepared by party managers," first recorded 1842, from notion of being easily altered or erased. Clean slate (1856) is an image from customer accounts chalked up in a tavern.
slate (v.)
1520s, "to cover with slates" (earlier sclatten, late 15c.), from slate (n.). Meaning "propose, schedule" is from 1883; earlier "to nominate" (1804); the notion is of writing on a slate board. Related: Slated; slating.
雙語例句
1. Why not wipe the slate clean and start all over again?
為什麽不洗心革麵、從頭來過呢？
來自柯林斯例句
2. The sea was the colour of slate.
大海的顏色像石板。
來自《權威詞典》
3. The nominating committee laid its slate before the board.
提名委員會把候選人名單提交全體委員會討論.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
4. Only a skilled workman can splIt'slate into layers.
隻有熟練的工匠才能把板岩劈成石片.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
5. The leadership want to present a single slate of candidates to be approved in an open vote.