Slatch (?), n. [See Slack.] (Naut.) (a) The period of a transitory
breeze. (b) An interval of fair weather. (c) The loose or slack part of
a rope; slack.
Slate (?), n. [OE. slat, OF. esclat a shiver, splinter, F. éclat, fr.
OF. esclater to shiver, to chip, F. éclater, fr. OHG. sliezen to tear,
slit, split, fr. slzan to slit, G. schleissen. See Slit, v. t., and cf.
Eclat.] 1. (Min.) An argillaceous rock which readily splits into thin
plates; argillite; argillaceous schist.