slot definition | Dictionary.com

slot

1 [slot]

noun, verb, slot⋅ted, slot⋅ting.

–noun

1.	a narrow, elongated depression, groove, notch, slit, or aperture, esp. a narrow opening for receiving or admitting something, as a coin or a letter.

2.	a place or position, as in a sequence or series: The program received a new time slot on the broadcasting schedule.

3.	Linguistics. (esp. in tagmemics) a position having a specific grammatical function within a construction into which any one of a set of morphemes or morpheme sequences can be fit. Compare filler (def. 9).

4.	an assignment or job opening; position: I applied for the slot in management training.

Journalism.

a.	the interior opening in a copy desk, occupied by the chief copy editor.

b.	the job or position of chief copy editor: He had the slot at the Gazette for 20 years. Compare rim (def. 7).

6.	an allocated, scheduled time and place for an aircraft to take off or land, as authorized by an airport or air-traffic authority: 40 more slots for the new airline at U.S. airports.

7.	Informal. slot machine (def. 1).

8.	Aeronautics. See under slat ¹ (def. 2).

9.	Ornithology. a narrow notch or other similar opening between the tips of the primaries of certain birds, which during flight helps to maintain a smooth flow of air over the wings.

10.	Ice Hockey. an unmarked area near the front of an opponent's goal that affords a vantage for an attacking player.

11.	Computers. expansion slot.

–verb (used with object)

12.	to provide with a slot or slots; make a slot in.

13.	to place or fit into a slot: We've slotted his appointment for four o'clock.

–verb (used without object)

14.	to fit or be placed in a slot.

Origin:
1300–50; ME: the hollow of the breastbone < MF esclot < ?

slot

2 [slot]

–noun

1.	the track or trail of a deer or other animal, as shown by the marks of the feet.

2.	a track, trace, or trail of something.

Origin:
1565–75; < AF, MF esclot the hoofprint of a horse, prob. < ON slōth track, trail; see sleuthhound

slat

1 [slat]

noun, verb, slat⋅ted, slat⋅ting.

–noun

1.	a long thin, narrow strip of wood, metal, etc., used as a support for a bed, as one of the horizontal laths of a Venetian blind, etc.

2.	Aeronautics. a control surface along the leading edge of a wing that can be extended forward to create a gap (slot) to improve airflow.

slats, Slang.

the ribs.

b.	the buttocks.

c.	(initial capital letter) a nickname for a tall, slender man.

–verb (used with object)

4.	to furnish or make with slats.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME sclat, slatt a slate < MF esclat splinter, fragment; see éclat

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To slot

slot¹ (slŏt)

A narrow opening; a groove or slit: a slot for coins in a vending machine; a mail slot.
A gap between a main and auxiliary airfoil to provide space for airflow and facilitate the smooth passage of air over the wing.
1. An assigned place in a sequence or schedule: a new time slot for a TV program.
2. A position of employment in an organization or hierarchy.
3. Football A space or gap between an end and a tackle in an offensive line.
4. Sports An unmarked area in front of the goal between the face-off circles on an ice hockey rink.
Computer Science An expansion slot.
Informal A slot machine designed for gambling: lost $100 playing the slots.
1. Football A space or gap between an end and a tackle in an offensive line.
2. Sports An unmarked area in front of the goal between the face-off circles on an ice hockey rink.

tr.v. slot·ted, slot·ting, slots

To cut or make a slot or slots in.
To put into or assign to a slot.

[Middle English, hollow of the breastbone, from Old French esclot.]

slot² (slŏt)

n. The track or trail of an animal, especially a deer.

[Obsolete French esclot, horse's hoofprint, from Old French, perhaps from Old Norse slōdh, track.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slot

Slot\, n. [LG. & D. slot a lock, from a verb meaning to close., to shut, D. sluiten; akin to G. schliessen, OHG. sliozan, OFries. sl?ta, and probably to L. claudere. Cf. Close, Sluice.]

1. A broad, flat, wooden bar; a slat or sloat.

2. A bolt or bar for fastening a door. [Prov. Eng.]

3. A narrow depression, perforation, or aperture; esp., one for the reception of a piece fitting or sliding in it.

Slot

Slot\, v. t. [See Slot a bar.] To shut with violence; to slam; as, to slot a door. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]

Slot

Slot\, n. [Cf. Icel. sl??, and E. sleuth.] The track of a deer; hence, a track of any kind. --Milton.

As a bloodhound follows the slot of a hurt deer. --Sir W. Scott.

Language Translation for : slot

Spanish: ranura,

German: der Schlitz,

Japanese: 送金

More Translations »

slot (1)

c.1300, "hollow at the base of the throat above the breastbone," from O.Fr. esclot, of uncertain origin. Sense of "narrow opening into which something else can be fitted" is first recorded 1523. Meaning "middle of the (semi-circular) copy desk at a newspaper," the spot occupied by the chief sub-editor, is recorded from 1917. The sense of "opening in a machine for a coin to be inserted" is from 1888 (slot machine first attested 1891). The sense of "position in a list" is first recorded 1942; verb sense of "designate, appoint" is from 1960s. Slot car first attested 1966.

slot (2)

"bar or bolt used to fasten a door, window, etc.," c.1300, from M.Du. or M.L.G. slot (cf. O.N. slot, O.H.G. sloz, Ger. Schloss "bolt, bar;" O.S. slutil "key"), from P.Gmc. stem *slut- "to close" (cf. O.Fris. sluta, Du. sluiten, O.H.G. sliozan, Ger. schliessen "to shut, close"), from PIE base *klau- "hook, peg" (cf. Gk. kleis "key;" L. claudere "to shut, close," clavis "key," clavus "nail;" see close (v.)).

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