Skip to main content
plate

plate

26 6.7
A shallow dish passed around in church to collect money
  • noun
  • /pleɪt/
translation icon : plato de la colecta
  • If he were here today there's no way the collection plate would look so light.

Examples

  • And he went on like that for an hour; then he passed the plate.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • We're going to go ahead and pass around the collection plate while the organ plays.

  • Wanted to make sure she has something for the collection plate.

  • Praise God, and know where it is all leading: straight to the collection plate.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Asked to pass the collection plate, he did not want to walk up and down the aisles any longer either.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Sit, heads bowed, in a small country church as the collection plate is passed.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Young Ella awoke to the passing of the collection plate, into which she placed her coin.

    Academic text (2018)
  • During Sunday service, the church elder passed the collection plate to gather donations from the congregation.

  • As the choir sang, members of the parish put their contributions into the collection plate being circulated.

  • After the sermon, the minister encouraged everyone to give generously to the collection plate to support the local charity.

Synonyms

7 3.2

A shallow dish people pass around in church to collect money

is used during services but not necessarily passed among attendees
begging bowl
vsplate
1 7.5

A bowl that people use to collect money or food from others

is used in formal religious services rather than public fundraising
alms dish
vsplate
9.9

A shallow dish that people pass around during a religious service to collect money

is the general church term without explicitly religious wording

Idioms

32 4.6

To take responsibility and act when a difficult situation happens

on a plate
  • Informal
1 5.1

To get something very easily without having to work for it

Compounds

124 1.6

A plate on vehicles like cars that shows the registration number

home plate
  • Jargon
20 3.6

A flat rubber base with five sides that a batter stands over and runners touch to score

15 3.4

A small portable electric cooker with one or two burners for cooking and keeping food warm

13 3.4

Large flat sheets of clear glass used for windows and doors

10 1.0

A plate made of paper or thin cardboard that you throw away after use

A shallow dish people pass around in church to collect money

5 1.0

A large plate for the main part of a meal

5 3.0

A flat piece of steel used to make or strengthen buildings and machines

plate tectonics
  • Specialized
5 3.9

Theory that Earth's outer layer is split into large moving plates that cause earthquakes and mountains

3 6.8

A flat sheet of glass or metal covered with a material that reacts to light to record pictures

2 1.6

A small plate for one person's salad

1 5.6

A removable set of false teeth that fits in the mouth

bite plate
  • Specialized
1 6.3

A small removable piece of plastic that fits on the roof of the mouth to help the teeth or jaw

A small plate for eating dessert after a meal

armor plate
  • Specialized
1 4.9

A thick metal sheet used to protect tanks, ships, or buildings from bullets and explosions

1 3.9

A piece of tableware or object of ordinary metal covered with a thin layer of gold

charge plate
  • Archaic
1 8.4

A small metal or plastic plate that people use like an early credit card to pay for goods

cover plate
  • Specialized
1 4.8

A flat hard plate that closes an opening to protect the parts inside

fashion plate
  • Archaic
1 6.1

A picture that shows the latest clothes in magazines and books

fashion plate
  • Archaic
1 6.5

A person who cares a lot about clothes and follows the latest styles

gold plate
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A thin layer of gold put on the surface of another material for decoration or protection

1 4.1

A thin sheet of metal covered with tin used to make cans and kitchen items

1 3.1

Items like forks and spoons that are made of another metal with a thin silver layer for use at meals

1 1.8

A deep plate with a wide rim used for serving soup

comb-plate
  • Specialized
9.9

A row of tiny hairs joined together that some sea animals use to move

crustal plate
  • Specialized
6.4

A large solid piece of the Earth's outer layer that moves slowly

9.9

A way to make photographs on glass plates with a thin light-sensitive layer

dry plate
  • Archaic
9.9

A glass plate with a light-sensitive coating used by early photographers

end-plate
  • Specialized
8.4

The flat end of a nerve that sends signals to a muscle

A plate with different grilled meats and side dishes like coleslaw

6.3

A flat plate on a door that protects the paint from finger marks

A complete suit of metal plates that covers the body and protects a knight in battle

kick plate
  • Specialized
3.3

A metal or plastic strip fixed to the bottom of a door to protect it from scuff marks

kick plate
  • Specialized
4.6

A removable panel at the bottom of an appliance or door that protects it and gives access to parts inside

L-plate
  • UK
7.9

A square sign with the letter L on a car showing the driver is learning

motor end plate
  • Specialized
7.5

The place where a nerve connects to a muscle to make it move

guide plate
  • Jargon
7.3

A metal plate with a long slot that helps control a climbing rope by holding a carabiner

gusset plate
  • Specialized
8.2

A metal plate that connects and strengthens beams and joints

quarter plate
  • Archaic
9.9

A small piece of glass for early cameras, about 3 by 4 inches

rider plate
  • Specialized
8.8

A metal plate fixed to the top of a ship's keel to make it stronger

Flat sheets of iron used to make or strengthen buildings and ships

A rack for holding plates upright to dry after washing

A narrow shelf fixed to a wall for showing plates and small decorations

plate tectonic theory
  • Specialized
4.8

A scientific idea that Earth's outer layer of rock moves in large plates and causes earthquakes, volcanoes and mountains

A machine that uses flat plates and frames to separate solids from liquids

plate armor
  • Specialized
8.0

A suit of metal plates worn by knights for protection in battle

plate armor
  • Specialized
7.7

Plates of thick steel that protect vehicles or buildings from enemy fire

plate compactor
  • Specialized
6.7

A machine with a flat plate that packs dirt, gravel or sand tightly

plate filter press
  • Specialized
6.9

A machine made of many plates that removes solids from liquids

A machine with plates and frames that separates solids from liquids in factories

A plate with a sandwich and a small side like salad or pickles

silver plate
  • Specialized
4.3

A thin layer of silver that covers another material to decorate or protect it

spin the plate
  • Baby Talk
9.3

A children's game where a plate is spun and the named player must catch it or do a silly task

Sticht plate
  • Jargon
9.8

A small metal plate climbers use to hold and slow a rope when lowering or belaying someone

8.4

A machine with a flat plate that vibrates and makes soil, sand, or gravel firm

A long horizontal piece of wood on top of a wall supporting beams

How Deep

bowl
370 1.0
box
1.0
basket
288 1.0
plate
26 6.7

Surface Forms

plate singular
plates plural

Etymology

A church plate is a shallow, flat dish passed around to collect money, and the name comes from the idea of a flat dish. That's why the offering plate is used to hold donations.