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wipe the slate clean


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The entry for "slate" is displayed below.

Also see: wipe | the | clean

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
slate1 /sleɪt/USA pronunciation   n., v., slat•ed, slat•ing. 
n. 
  1. Rocks[uncountable] a fine-grained rock formed from clay, shale, etc., that tends to split into thin plates
  2. Rocks[countable] a thin piece of this rock or a similar material, used esp. for roofing or as a writing surface.
  3. [uncountable] a dull, dark bluish gray.
  4. Government[countable] a list of candidates, etc., considered for nomination or election.

v. [~ + object]
  1. to cover with or as if with slate.
  2. Government to write or set down (someone or someone's name) to be nominated or appointed:[usually: be + ~-ed]She is slated to be the new dean.
  3. to plan or designate (something) for a particular place and time;
    schedule:[usually: be + ~-ed]He is slated to arrive at three.
Idioms
  1. Idioms a clean slate, [countable] a clean record;
    a record that has no history or evidence of wrongdoing:She started here with a clean slate.


WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
slate1  (slāt),USA pronunciation n., v., slat•ed, slat•ing. 
n. 
  1. Rocksa fine-grained rock formed by the metamorphosis of clay, shale, etc., that tends to split along parallel cleavage planes, usually at an angle to the planes of stratification.
  2. Rocksa thin piece or plate of this rock or a similar material, used esp. for roofing or as a writing surface.
  3. a dull, dark bluish gray.
  4. Governmenta list of candidates, officers, etc., to be considered for nomination, appointment, election, or the like.
  5. clean slate, an unsullied record;
    a record marked by creditable conduct:to start over with a clean slate.

v.t. 
  1. to cover with or as with slate.
  2. Governmentto write or set down for nomination or appointment:the district leader slated for city judge.
  3. to plan or designate (something) for a particular place and time;
    schedule:The premiere was slated for January.
  4. to censure or criticize harshly or violently;
    scold.
  5. to punish severely.
  • Middle French esclate, feminine of esclat piece split off; see slat1
  • Middle English sclate 1300–50

slate2  (slāt),USA pronunciation v.t., slat•ed, slat•ing. [Brit.]
  1. to sic or set a dog on (a person or animal).
  • Old Norse *sleita; cognate with Old English slǣtan
  • Middle English slayten 1300–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
slate / sleɪt/
  1. a compact fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by the effects of heat and pressure on shale. It can be split into thin layers along natural cleavage planes and is used as a roofing and paving material
  2. (as modifier): a slate tile
  3. a roofing tile of slate
  4. (formerly) a writing tablet of slate
  5. a dark grey colour, often with a purplish or bluish tinge
  6. a list of candidates in an election
  7. clean slate ⇒ a record without dishonour
  8. have a slate loose ⇒ to be eccentric
  9. to have a mental illness
  10. on the slate ⇒ on credit
 (transitive)
  1. to cover (a roof) with slates
  2. to enter (a person's name) on a list, esp on a political slate
  1. of the colour slate
Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French esclate, from esclat a fragment; see slat1
slate / sleɪt/ (transitive)
  1. to criticize harshly; censure
Etymology: 19th Century: probably from slate1

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