PLATE Plate, n. Etym: [OF. plate a plate of metal, a cuirsas, F. plat a plate, a shallow vessel of silver, other metal, or earth, fr. plat flat, Gr. Place, n.]
1. A flat, or nearly flat, piece of metal, the thickness of which is small in comparison with the other dimensions; a thick sheet of metal; as, a steel plate.
2. Metallic armor composed of broad pieces. Mangled . . . through plate and mail. Milton.
3. Domestic vessels and utensils, as flagons, dishes, cups, etc., wrought in gold or silver.
4. Metallic ware which is plated, in distinction from that which is genuine silver or gold.
5. A small, shallow, and usually circular, vessel of metal or wood, or of earth glazed and baked, from which food is eaten at table.
6. Etym: [Cf. Sp. plata silver.]
Defn: A piece of money, usually silver money. [Obs.] "Realms and islands were as plates dropp'd from his pocket." Shak.
7. A piece of metal on which anything is engraved for the purpose of being printed; hence, an impression from the engraved metal; as, a book illustrated with plates; a fashion plate.
8. A page of stereotype, electrotype, or the like, for printing from; as, publisher's plates.