古フランス語のesclateから、esclat, slice, splinter, strip of wood, すなわち、現在ではslatと表記される。marquis, marquis, marquise, marquiseessと比較する。slatが主に木製スレートに使用された後、slateは主に石製スレートに使用され、スレート、リスト、候補者リストを書くという比喩的意味を派生させる。
英語の語源
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.
例文
1. Why not wipe the slate clean and start all over again？
なぜ心を入れ替えて、最初からやり直さないのか。
2.The sea was the colour of slate .
海の色は石板のようだ。
3.The nominating committee laid its slate before the board.
指名委員会は候補者名簿を全委員会に提出して討論する。
4.Only a skilled workman can splIt ' slate into layers.
熟練した職人だけが板岩を石片に割ることができる。
5.The leadership want to present a single slate of candidates to be approved in an open vote.