from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Slice \Slice\, n. [OE. slice, sclice, OF. esclice, from
esclicier, esclichier, to break to pieces, of German origin;
cf. OHG. sl[imac]zan to split, slit, tear, G. schleissen to
slit. See {Slit}, v. t.]
1. A thin, broad piece cut off; as, a slice of bacon; a slice
of cheese; a slice of bread.
[1913 Webster]
2. That which is thin and broad, like a slice. Specifically:
(a) A broad, thin piece of plaster.
(b) A salver, platter, or tray. [Obs.]
(c) A knife with a thin, broad blade for taking up or
serving fish; also, a spatula for spreading anything,
as paint or ink.
(d) A plate of iron with a handle, forming a kind of
chisel, or a spadelike implement, variously
proportioned, and used for various purposes, as for
stripping the planking from a vessel's side, for
cutting blubber from a whale, or for stirring a fire
of coals; a slice bar; a peel; a fire shovel. [Cant]
(e) (Shipbuilding) One of the wedges by which the cradle
and the ship are lifted clear of the building blocks
to prepare for launching.
(f) (Printing) A removable sliding bottom to galley.
[1913 Webster]
{Slice bar}, a kind of fire iron resembling a poker, with a
broad, flat end, for stirring a fire of coals, and
clearing it and the grate bars from clinkers, ashes, etc.;
a slice.
[1913 Webster]