Plate
PLATE, noun [Latin Latus, with the radical sense of laid, spread.]
1. A piece of metal, flat or extended in breadth.
2. Armor of plate composed of broad pieces, and thus distinguished from mail.
3. A piece of wrought silver, as a dish or other shallow vessel; hence, vessels of silver; wrought silver in general. plate by the laws of some states, is subject to a tax by the ounce.
4. A small shallow vessel, made of silver or other metal, or of earth glazed and baked, from which provisions are eaten at table. A wooden plate is called a trencher.
5. The prize given for the best horse in a race.
6. In architecture, the piece of timber which supports the ends of the rafters. [See Platform.]
PLATE, verb transitive To cover or overlay with plate or with metal; used particularly of silver; as plated vessels.
1. To arm with plate or metal for defense; as, to plate sin with gold.
Why plated in habiliments of war?
2. To adorn with place; as a plated harness.
3. To beat into thin flat pieces or lamens.