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slot

/slɒt/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about slot at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. A position in a grammatical linguistic construction in which a variety of alternative units are interchangeable.
    he developed a version of slot grammar
  2. A small slit (as for inserting a coin or depositing mail).
    he put a quarter in the slot
  3. A time assigned on a schedule or agenda.
    the TV program has a new time slot

verb

  1. Assign a time slot.
    slot a television program

Origin

From Middle English slot, from Old French esclot, likely from Old Norse slóð (“track”). As a gambling machine, via clipping of slot machine. Compare sleuth. The scheduling (calendar) sense is by a metaphor whereby the time span is equated with the segment of a page or part of a device that represents it.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)