slot (n.)

A term used in GRAMMATICAL analysis to refer to a place in a CONSTRUCTION into which a CLASS of ITEMS can be INSERTED. For example, in the SENTENCE The children – home, the ‘slot’ marked by the dash can be ‘filled’ by came, are, went, etc. – a subclass of VERBS. Approaches characterized by this emphasis are sometimes referred to as slot-and-filler MODELS. The analysis of SENTENCE STRUCTURE in terms of slots is a major feature of TAGMEMIC grammar, where the notion is used to identify the filler items (e.g. ‘SUBJECT slot’, ‘OBJECT slot’).

A term used in AUTOSEGMENTAL PHONOLOGY for an ELEMENT on the SKELETAL TIER. These elements are also known as V-slots and C-slots, referring to the segments to which VOWELS and CONSONANTS must associate if they are to be realized.