adminkamu(plural slots) A narrow depression, perforation, slit, or aperture, especially one for receiving something, as a coin or a letter. Also, a period of time or a position within a sequence or schedule: I slotted his appointment for four o’clock.
Linguistics
A gap or hole in a word that can be filled with a specific morpheme: “The ‘and’ is missing from this sentence, because the ‘and’ can only fit into the’slot’ of the verb.” Compare filler (def 9).
In ornithology, the track or trail left by an animal. Also, a notch or gap between the primaries of certain birds, to allow airflow and facilitate flight.
Sports An unmarked area in front of the goal, on an ice hockey rink, that affords a vantage point for attacking players.
The article below is a shortened version of an original, longer piece that appeared in the New York Times Magazine. The full version can be found here. For more articles from The Times, and for help with your English grammar, vocabulary and writing skills, visit our new online tool Farlex Correct – the easiest way to learn grammar rules. It’s free, fast and easy to use. The rules are explained in plain language, and you can check your spelling and pronunciation instantly. The tool is developed by Farlex, the world’s most popular English dictionary and language learning app. It is available for iOS and Android devices. Copyright
