slat
/slæt/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.35 in modern English
4
Scrabble Score
4
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
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.
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "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."
- "[…] 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."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: slatte, esclat, esclater, *slaitijan, *slītaną