Slab
/slæb/noun
A thick, flat piece of stone, wood, metal, or other material.
Did you know?English slab is probably related to words for a flat piece or strip in several Germanic languages, but its deeper origin is uncertain—one of those old words that survived by being useful, not elegant.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*slab- / *slabō-
“A flat piece or lump; the exact original sense is uncertain.”
Old English
OE
slæb
“A slab, flat piece, or thick slice.”
Middle English
ME
slabbe / slab
“A thick, flat piece; also a heavy or clumsy mass.”
Early Modern English
English
slab
“A broad, flat piece of material, especially stone.”
Modern English
English
slab
“A thick, flat piece of something, especially stone or concrete.”