Slats are narrow pieces of wood, metal, or plastic, usually with spaces between them, that are part of things such as Venetian blinds or cupboard doors.
slat in British English1
(slæt)
noun
1.
a narrow thin strip of wood or metal, as used in a Venetian blind, etc
2.
a movable or fixed auxiliary aerofoil attached to the leading edge of an aircraft wing to increase lift, esp during landing and takeoff
verbWord forms: slats, slatting or slatted
3. (transitive)
to provide with slats
Word origin
C14: from Old French esclat splinter, from esclater to shatter
slat in British English2
(slæt) dialect
verbWord forms: slats, slatting or slatted
1. (transitive)
to throw violently; fling carelessly
2. (intransitive)
to flap violently
noun
3.
a sudden blow
Word origin
C13: of Scandinavian origin; related to Old Norse, Icelandic sletta to slap
slat in British English3
(slæt)
noun
Irish
a spent salmon
Word origin
C19: of uncertain origin
slat in American English1
(slæt)
noun
1.
a thin, narrow strip of wood, metal, etc.
slats of a Venetian blind
2. US; [pl.]; Slang
a.
the ribs
b.
the buttocks
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈslatted or ˈslatting
3.
to provide or make with slats
Word origin
ME sclat < OFr esclat, a fragment < esclater, to splinter < Langobardic slaitan, to tear apart, split, akin to OHG slizzan, OE slitan: see slit
slat in American English2
(slæt)
verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈslatted or ˈslatting
1.
to flap or beat vigorously, as sails in a strong wind
verb transitive British, Dialectal
2.
to throw forcefully
3.
to beat; strike
Word origin
ME sclatten, prob. < ON sletta, to throw: infl. by slat1
Examples of 'slat' in a sentence
slat
A twelve-foot high green slat fence extended from either side of the building.
Reeves, Robert DOUBTING THOMAS (2004)
I told him unless I specifically called for him, he was not to open the door or the slat window.