Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PLATE, n. [D. plaat, G. platte, plate; Sw. platt; Dan. and D. plat, G. platt, flat; It. piatto, flat, and piastra; Sp. plata; Ir. id.; W. plâd, a plate; probably allied to Gr. πλατυς, L. latus, with the radical sense of laid, spread.]

1. A piece of metal, flat or extended in breadth. – Bacon. South.
2. Armor of plate, composed of broad pieces, and thus distinguished from mail. – Spenser.
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.]
7. For Copperplate, a printed representation or impression from an engraved plate.
8. A page of stereotype or fixed metallic types for printing.
9. [In heraldry, a roundel of silver. – E. H. B.]