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plate

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noun

a smooth, flat, relatively thin piece of metal or other material
a sheet of metal made by beating, rolling, or casting
1. any of the thin sheets of metal, plastic, etc. used in one kind of armor ()
2. such armor
1. a thin, flat piece of metal on which an engraving is, or is to be, cut
2. an impression taken from the engraved metal
a print of a woodcut, lithograph, etc., esp. when used in a book
a full-page book illustration of any kind, printed on paper of a stock different from that of the text
1. dishes, utensils, etc. of silver or gold, collectively
2. metal dishes, utensils, etc., or any metallic ware, plated with gold or silver
a shallow dish, usually circular, from which food is eaten
plateful
the food in a dish; a course: a fruit plate
food and service for an individual at a meal: dinner at twenty dollars a plate
a dish or other container passed in churches, etc. for donations of money
1. a prize, orig. a gold or silver cup, given to the winner of a race or contest
2. a contest, esp. a horse race, for such a prize, rather than for stakes
  also called plate race
petri dish
a thin cut of beef from the forequarter, just below the short ribs
Anat., Zool. a thin layer, plate, or scale, as of bone or horny tissue; lamina; scute
Archit. a horizontal wooden girder that supports the trusses or rafters of a roof
Baseball home plate
Dentistry
1. that part of an artificial denture which fits to the mouth and holds the teeth
2. loosely a full set of false teeth
Elec. anode (senses & )
Philately the impression surface from which a sheet of postage stamps is printed
Photog. a sheet of glass, metal, etc., coated with a film sensitive to light, upon which the image is formed
Printing a cast, to be printed from, made from a mold of set type or from a negative prepared as by photocomposition

transitive verb plated, plating

to overlay or coat with gold, silver, tin, etc. by a mechanical, chemical, or electrical process
to cover, as with metal plates for protection
to make a printing plate of

See plate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(plāt)

noun

A smooth, flat, relatively thin, rigid body of uniform thickness.
a. A sheet of hammered, rolled, or cast metal.
b. A very thin applied or deposited coat of metal.
a. A flat piece of metal forming part of a machine: a boiler plate.
b. A flat piece of metal on which something is engraved.
c. A license plate.
a. A thin piece of metal used for armor.
b. Armor made of such pieces.
Printing
a. A sheet of metal, plastic, rubber, paperboard, or other material prepared for use as a printing surface, such as an electrotype or a stereotype.
b. A print of a woodcut, lithograph, or other engraved material, especially when reproduced in a book.
c. A full-page book illustration, often in color and printed on paper different from that used on the text pages.
Photography A light-sensitive sheet of glass or metal on which a photographic image can be recorded.
Dentistry A thin metallic or plastic support fitted to the gums to anchor artificial teeth.
Architecture In wood-frame construction, a horizontal member, capping the exterior wall studs, upon which the roof rafters rest.
Baseball Home plate.
a. A shallow dish in which food is served or from which it is eaten.
b. The contents of such a dish: ate a plate of spaghetti.
c. A whole course served on such a dish.
Service and food for one person at a meal: dinner at a set price per plate.
Household articles, such as hollowware, covered with a precious metal, such as silver or gold.
A dish passed among the members of a group or congregation for the collection of offerings.
Sports
a. A dish, cup, or other article of silver or gold offered as a prize.
b. A contest, especially a horserace, offering such a prize.
A thin cut of beef from the brisket.
Biology
a. A thin flat layer or scale, as that of a fish.
b. A platelike part, organ, or structure, such as that covering some reptiles.
Electricity
a. An electrode, as in a storage battery or capacitor.
b. The anode in an electron tube.
Geology In the theory of plate tectonics, one of the sections of the earth's lithosphere, constantly moving in relation to the other sections.
Informal A schedule of matters to be dealt with: had a lot on my plate at work after vacation.

transitive verb plat·ed, plat·ing, plates

To coat or cover with a thin layer of metal.
To cover with armor plate: plate a warship.
Printing To make a stereotype or electrotype from.
To give a glossy finish to (paper) by pressing between metal sheets or rollers.
To arrange (food) on a plate, as for serving: “a choice of starters, entrées, and desserts plated just as they will appear when ordered” (John Edward Young).

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