plate
UK: pleɪt | US: pleɪt
n. a flat, thin, usually round dish for serving or holding food
n. a thin, flat piece of metal or other material
n. a rigid layer of the Earth's lithosphere
vt. to coat or cover with a thin layer of metal
The word "plate" traces back to the Greek platus (broad), which entered Latin as plattus and later Old French as plat. The term originally described flat objects, especially dishes or sheets of metal. Over time, it expanded to include geological layers (tectonic plates) and the act of coating surfaces (plating). The silent "e" reflects its French influence, typical of many English nouns.
She placed the sandwiches on a ceramic plate.
The car's license plate was damaged in the accident.
Scientists study the movement of tectonic plates.
The jeweler will plate the ring with gold.
He cleaned his plate after finishing the meal.