slate

来自古法语 esclate,阴性格于 esclat,薄片，碎片，木条，即现拼写 slat.比较 marquis,侯爵， marquise,女侯爵，侯爵夫人。后 slat 多用于指木制板，slate 多用于指石制板，并引申比喻义 写字板，清单，候选人名单。

slate (n.)

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.

1. Why not wipe the slate clean and start all over again?

为什么不洗心革面、从头来过呢？

2. The sea was the colour of slate.

大海的颜色像石板。

3. The nominating committee laid its slate before the board.

提名委员会把候选人名单提交全体委员会讨论.

4. Only a skilled workman can splIt'slate into layers.

只有熟练的工匠才能把板岩劈成石片.

5. The leadership want to present a single slate of candidates to be approved in an open vote.

领导层打算只提交一份供公开投票表决通过的候选人名单。