plate

1. A slightly curved but almost flat dish from which food is served or eaten. (countable, uncountable) · I filled my plate from the bountiful table.
2. Such dishes collectively. (uncountable) · A valuable collection of silver plate was donated to the museum.
3. The contents of such a dish. (countable, uncountable) · I ate a plate of beans.
4. A course at a meal. (countable, uncountable) · The meat plate was particularly tasty.
5. An agenda of tasks, problems, or responsibilities (countable, figuratively, uncountable) · With revenues down and transfer payments up, the legislature has a full plate.
6. A flat object of uniform thickness. (countable, uncountable) · The most important and most expensive part of any solar cell is a silicon plate.
7. A taxi permit, especially of a metal disc. (countable, uncountable)
8. Plate armor. (countable, uncountable) · He was confronted by two knights in full plate.

Plural plates