Plank, plangk, n. a long piece of timber, thicker than a board: one of the principles or aims of an associated party.—v.t. to cover with planks.—n. Plank′ing, the act of laying planks: a series of planks: work made up of planks.—Walk the plank, to be compelled to walk along a plank projecting over the ship's edge into the sea. [L. planca, a board; cf. Plain, even.]
Plankton, plangk′ton, n. pelagic animals collectively. [Gr., planktos, wandering.]
Planodia, plā-nō′di-a, n. a false passage, such as may be made in using a catheter.
Plant, plant, n. a something living and growing, fixed on the ground and drawing food therefrom by means of its root, and developing into a stem, leaves, and seed: a sprout: any vegetable production: the tools or material of any trade or business: (slang) a trick, dodge, hidden plunder.—v.t. to put into the ground for growth: to furnish with plants: to set in the mind, implant: to establish.—v.i. to set shoots in the ground.—adj. Plant′able.—ns. Plant′age (Shak.), plants in general, or the vegetable kingdom; Plantā′tion, a place planted: a wood or grove: (U.S.) a large estate: a colony: act or process of introduction: (Milt.) the act of planting; Plant′er, one who plants or introduces: the owner of a plantation; Plant′-house, a garden structure designed for the protection and cultivation of the plants of warmer climates than our own; Plant′icle, a young plant; Plant′ing, the act of setting in the ground for growth: the art of forming plantations of trees: a plantation.—adj. Plant′less, destitute of vegetation.—ns. Plant′let, a little plant; Plant′-louse, a small homopterous insect which infests plants; Plant′ule, the embryo of a plant. [A.S. plante (Fr. plante)—L. planta, a shoot, a plant.]
Plantain, plan′tān, n. an important food-plant of tropical countries, so called from its broad leaf: a common roadside plant of several species, with broad leaves and seed-bearing spikes.—Plantain eater, one of a family of African, arboreal, vegetarian Pie-like birds. [Fr.,—L. plantago, plantaginis.]
Plantigrade, plant′i-grād, adj. that walks on the sole of the foot.—n. a plantigrade animal, as the bear.—adj. Plant′ar, pertaining to the sole of the foot. [L. planta, the sole, gradi, to walk.]
Planula, plan′ū-la, n. the locomotory embryo of the cœlenterates.—adjs. Plan′ular; Plan′uliform; Plan′uloid.
Planuria, plā-nū′ri-a, n. the discharge of urine through an abnormal passage, uroplania.—Also Plan′ury.
Plap, plap, v.i. to plash, fall with plashing sound. [Imit.]
Plaque, plak, n. a flat piece of metal or other material, used for ornament, as a brooch, &c., or for painting on, to form a wall-picture.—n. Plaquette′, a small plaque. [Fr.; cf. Plack.]