Slate (writing)

Slate (writing)

A writing slate is a piece of flat material used as a medium for writing.

In the 1800s, writing slates were made of slate, which is more durable than paper and was cheap at the time when paper was expensive. It was used to allow children to practice writing. Thin slabs of slate, typically three inches by five (roughly 9 x 12 cm), were also bound into "slate books" for adult use in workplaces.

Slates can be written on using a slate pencil. This is a rod made of soft slate, soapstone, or pressed clay, which makes a thin white line on the slate. Chalk can also be used. The writing can be wiped off with a soft cloth.

Writing slates, although not made of the rock, are still used:
* Scuba divers carry plastic slates and pencils to communicate with other divers, to record facts underwater or read pre-dive plans.
* Proprietary writing slates which protect young children and their clothes from the damage and discolouration potentially caused by paint, pencils and pens are used as toys or educational items.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • slate-writing — slateˈ writing noun In spiritualism, the mysterious process of producing writing on a covered slate • • • Main Entry: ↑slate …   Useful english dictionary

  • slate writing — noun : a spiritualistic or conjuring performance in which writing is mysteriously done upon a slate * * * slate writing, a sleight of hand trick in which a slate is written on apparently while tied or sealed face to face with another …   Useful english dictionary

  • Slate (disambiguation) — Slate is a type of rock.Slate may also refer to: *Slate (writing), a sheet of material, originally made of slate, on which a person can write *Slate (elections), a group of candidates that run on a common platform in an election. * Slate… …   Wikipedia

  • slate writer — noun : one that does slate writing * * * slate writer, a person who practices slate writing …   Useful english dictionary

  • Slate — (sl[=a]t), n. [OE. slat, sclat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. [ e]clat, fr. OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. [ e]clater, fr. OHG. sleizen to tear, slit, split, fr. sl[=i]zan to slit, G. schleissen. See {Slit}, v. t., and cf. {Eclat}.] 1.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Slate ax — Slate Slate (sl[=a]t), n. [OE. slat, sclat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. [ e]clat, fr. OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. [ e]clater, fr. OHG. sleizen to tear, slit, split, fr. sl[=i]zan to slit, G. schleissen. See {Slit}, v. t., and cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Slate axe — Slate Slate (sl[=a]t), n. [OE. slat, sclat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. [ e]clat, fr. OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. [ e]clater, fr. OHG. sleizen to tear, slit, split, fr. sl[=i]zan to slit, G. schleissen. See {Slit}, v. t., and cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Slate clay — Slate Slate (sl[=a]t), n. [OE. slat, sclat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. [ e]clat, fr. OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. [ e]clater, fr. OHG. sleizen to tear, slit, split, fr. sl[=i]zan to slit, G. schleissen. See {Slit}, v. t., and cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Slate globe — Slate Slate (sl[=a]t), n. [OE. slat, sclat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. [ e]clat, fr. OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. [ e]clater, fr. OHG. sleizen to tear, slit, split, fr. sl[=i]zan to slit, G. schleissen. See {Slit}, v. t., and cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Slate pencil — Slate Slate (sl[=a]t), n. [OE. slat, sclat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. [ e]clat, fr. OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. [ e]clater, fr. OHG. sleizen to tear, slit, split, fr. sl[=i]zan to slit, G. schleissen. See {Slit}, v. t., and cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”