A slot is a narrow depression, slat, or perforation that receives something or fits something into it. The term also refers to an interior opening in a copy desk. In hockey, a slot is the space between the faceoff circles and is sometimes called a scoring area. In sports, a slot represents the area where a player can make a play on the ice. A player can score in a slot or be scored on by a teammate.
Besides its practical use, a slot can also be an abstract concept: a narrow hole or opening. The term “slot” has many synonyms, including opening, hole, groove, and vent. In addition to their functional roles in language, slots serve as names for syntactic roles in many phrases. In fact, the word “slot” first appeared in print in the 1520s. In 1888, the term “slot machine” became popular.
A computer’s slot allows users to upgrade their processor. The original slot, called “Slot 1,” was introduced in 1997. AMD released the Slot A slot in 1999, but these two models are incompatible. In the following years, both AMD and Intel created their own versions of the slot. In 2007, Intel released a newer version, known as “Slot 2.” This new slot is bigger and used for Pentium II processors. Currently, slots are rarely found in new computers; instead, sockets are the new standard for connecting hardware and software.
A slot represents a slender space, and it is often shaped like a curved piece. Traditionally, the term “slot” was used to represent an iron crack down Market Street. The term reflects the concurrent evolution from flaking to grinding. Its usage in modern society has shifted from being an ornamental piece, but is now used as a tool for inset slots and slender slats.