plaque

plaque

noun \ˈplak\

Definition of PLAQUE

1

a : an ornamental brooch; especially : the badge of an honorary order b : a flat thin piece (as of metal) used for decoration c : a commemorative or identifying inscribed tablet

2

a : a localized abnormal patch on a body part or surface b : a sticky usually colorless film on teeth that is formed by and harbors bacteria c : an atherosclerotic lesion d : a histopathologic lesion of brain tissue that is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and consists of a dense proteinaceous core composed primarily of beta-amyloid that is often surrounded and infiltrated by a cluster of degenerating axons and dendrites

3

: a clear area in a bacterial culture produced by viral destruction of cells

Examples of PLAQUE

1. A bronze plaque marked the city's oldest building.
2. They gave him a plaque in honor of his 30 years of service.
3. Brushing your teeth prevents the buildup of plaque.
4. The scientists are studying the way the plaques form.

Origin of PLAQUE

French, from Middle French, metal sheet, from plaquer to plate, from Middle Dutch placken to piece, patch; akin to Middle Dutch placke piece, Middle High German placke patch

First Known Use: 1845

Other Dentistry Terms

bridge, crown, tush

Rhymes with PLAQUE

back, black, Braque, clack, claque, crack, flack, flak, hack, jack, knack, lac, lack, lakh, mac, Mac, pack, quack, rack, sac, sack, sacque, shack, slack, smack, snack, stack, tach, tack, thwack, track, Wac, wack, whack, wrack, yak