slat

noun

1. A thin, narrow strip or bar of wood (lath), metal, or plastic.

   “slats of a window blind”

   “To keep people out, the Nature Conservancy, which owns the cave, has blocked off the entrance with huge iron slats.”

2. A control surface that extends forwards and downwards from the leading edge of a wing, leaving a gap between it and the leading edge, in order to modify the airflow around the wing so as to allow flight at a higher angle of attack without stalling, lowering the aircraft's stall speed.
3. (slang)A ski.

   “I never got down that hill without losing at least one of my skis! Clarence didn't lose his slats. The straps went over his boots and held them in place. If he fell, he risked breaking a foot or leg, but the slats stayed on.”

4. A thin piece of stone; a slate.
5. A drop (of rain or water), a splash.

   “[…] slats of rain broke upon the surface.”

   “A slat of rain drove into his face. It was pitch dark but the sea was calmer and the bucking of the ship had lessened.”

   “[…] a slat of rain. The River-Woman grasped the pouch with her left hand and touched the mouth of it with her right.”

   “[…] a slat of rain and wind gusts which whitened the water where the river made its bend. Then the squall was gone as swiftly as it had come and the sun began to break through the clouds as Mike went slowly along the trail.”

verb

1. To construct or provide with slats.
2. To slap or strike; to beat, pummel; to hurl or throw down violently.

   “Men[dozo]. How did you kill him? / Mal[evole]. Slatted his braines out, then ſowſt him in the brinie ſea. / Men. Braind him and drownd him too?”

3. To throw (something, especially water or liquid) down; to slam or splash (something) down.

   “[…] a nudge o' kissing-crust After thy leeky broth: I've warmed thy porridge on tha trivet, Jimmy, zay prayers avore 'e have it, And doant 'e slat tha clath.”

   “[…] slatting water over everything in the dory.”

   “[…] by the sound she knew that he was slatting water from his oilskins. "Thanks. A wet day, sir." The door closed. He must have entered without invitation and shut the door behind him.”

   “Mac stood over me, slatting water off his arms, his face purple.”

   “The hose came in hand over hand, as the sailormen say, and in a few moments the end came switching down on them, slatting water in all directions.”

4. To fall; to beat (against something).

   “[…] sending solid grey water slatting against her wheelhouse windows.”

   “[…] water slatting over the rail. The salt caked on her face and when the sun came up, it was as though her face was being pot-roasted - with salt.”

   “[…] rain slatting down in the weed-grown garden.”

   “[…] rain slatting against the outside of the window.”

5. (British, dialectal)To split; to crack.

   “Both head-peeces and habergeons were slat and dashed a peeces.”

6. To set on; to incite.