metal-plated
|met-al-plat-ed|
/ˈmɛtəlˌpleɪtɪd/
covered with metal
Etymology
'metal-plated' is a compound formed from the noun 'metal' and the past participle of the verb 'plate' (meaning 'to cover with a plate or layer').
'metal' originates from Greek 'metallon' via Latin 'metalum' and Old French 'metal'; 'plate' comes from Old French 'plate' (from Medieval Latin/Old Provençal roots related to 'flat' or 'a metal plate'). The compound 'metal-plated' is a modern descriptive formation combining these elements to describe something that has been plated with metal.
Initially, 'metal' referred to mined metal and 'plate' referred to a flat sheet or the action of applying such a sheet; over time the combination came to mean 'covered with a thin layer of metal' (by chemical, electrochemical, or mechanical methods).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'metal-plate' (to coat or cover something with a layer of metal).
They metal-plated the handles to improve durability.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
coated or covered with a thin layer of metal, usually applied by a plating process (e.g., electroplating) to protect or finish a surface.
The metal-plated connectors provide better corrosion resistance than plain brass ones.
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Adjective 2
having a metallic-looking finish applied for decorative purposes rather than structural protection.
She bought a metal-plated picture frame to match the room's decor.
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Last updated: 2025/09/21 18:32