rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryplateEating dish
noun / verb

plate

PLAYT/pleɪt/

A thin flat piece of rigid material.

The thin ceramic plate supports a small serving of food.

A single shallow ceramic dinner plate with a broad visible rim, holding a small portion of food; a fork beside it establishes ordinary eating use.
Etymology
plateLatinplate, piece of metal

A “piece of metal” came to mean table utensils, originally of silver or gold, and then a shallow serving dish. The food-related meaning survived as the usual materials changed.

In context

The Distilled Man3:28
You know anything that is served on a flat plate should be eaten with a fork. And anything that's served in a bowl should be eaten with a spoon.
Table Manners 101: Basic Dining Etiquette

More examples

  • Two metal plates hold the wooden beams together.
  • The brass plate on the door bears her name.
  • Workers plate the gate with steel to strengthen it.

Forms

plate · plates · plated · plating

Similar words

sheet
Usually thinner than a plate and sometimes flexible.
panel
Often forms part of a larger surface or structure.
slab
Usually thicker and heavier than a plate.