| plate rail |
a narrow, shelflike strip or molding attached to the upper part of a wall, on which plates or other flat objects can be displayed. |
| plate tectonics |
(used with a sing. verb) the geologic theory that the earth's crust consists of several independent plates floating on semiliquid magma, whose constant motion is the cause of continental drift, volcanic eruption, and the like. |
| platform |
a level, raised surface used as a place to work, perform, or speak to an audience. [6 definitions] |
| platform bed |
a flat mattress support mounted on legs, often having the space beneath enclosed and fitted with storage drawers. |
| platform scale |
an industrial weighing device fitted with a platform on which esp. large or heavy objects can be placed and weighed. |
| plating |
a thin coating of gold, silver, or the like over a filler of another metal. [2 definitions] |
| platinic |
of, containing, or similar to platinum, esp. tetravalent platinum. |
| platinoid |
resembling or associated with platinum. [3 definitions] |
| platinous |
of or containing bivalent platinum. |
| platinum |
a chemical element that has seventy-eight protons in each nucleus and that occurs in pure form as a dense, highly malleable, lustrous silvery white solid metal, used as a catalyst, in a variety of alloys, and in making jewelry. (symbol: Pt) [2 definitions] |
| platinum blonde |
a person with light, silvery blonde hair. [2 definitions] |
| platitude |
an overused, dull, or trivial remark; hackneyed expression; cliché. [2 definitions] |
| platitudinize |
to use platitudes in speaking or writing. |
| Plato |
a Greek philosopher (427?-347? B.C.). |
| Platonic |
of, pertaining to, or resembling Plato or his philosophy. [2 definitions] |
| Platonism |
the philosophy of Plato or his followers, esp. the doctrines of idealism. |
| platoon |
a military unit of two or more squads or sections, usu. commanded by a lieutenant and having its own headquarters. [6 definitions] |
| platoon sergeant |
in the U.S. Army, the senior noncommissioned officer in a platoon. |
| Plattdeutsch |
the informal German dialect spoken in northern Germany; Low German. |
| platter |
a large shallow dish used for serving food. [3 definitions] |
| platy1 |
occurring in layers, flakes, plates, or slabs, as certain rocks, soils, or mineral deposits. |