Emily Dickinson Lexicon

plate (-s), n. [ME < OFr < L. plattus, flat.] (webplay: eaten, table).

1. Dish; piece of table ware; flat, round piece of wood or earthenware made to hold an individual serving of food; [fig.] stomach; appetite; hunger; desire for nourishment.
2. Place setting; table service; individual set of eating utensils and vessels arranged together on a table in anticipation of a person being seated in that position at a meal.
3. Serving platter; flat dish on which an entree is presented; [fig.] foundation; basis.