Definition

1. Noun:
   • A skilled worker who coats articles with a film of metal (usually silver or gold): A person whose job is to apply a thin layer of metal onto the surface of objects, often for decorative or protective purposes.
   • A racehorse of inferior quality: (Informal, chiefly in horse racing) A horse that is not of the highest class or breeding, typically one that runs in minor races.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Worker):

  • The museum hired a master plater to restore the antique candlesticks.
  • A plater uses electrolysis to coat the base metal with a layer of silver.

• Noun (Racehorse):

  • The stable had a few promising young horses and several older platers.
  • He bet on the favorite, but a plater won the race at long odds.

Advanced Usage

• The term "plater" in the context of horse racing is often used somewhat dismissively to distinguish ordinary horses from stakes-quality competitors. It implies the horse is fit mainly for claiming races or lower-tier events.

Variants and Related Words

• Plate (verb): To coat a surface with a thin layer of metal.
  • They decided to plate the copper statue with gold.
• Electroplater (noun): A more specific term for a plater who uses electrolytic processes.
  • The electroplater ensured the bath's current was set correctly.

Synonyms

• For the worker: Coater, gilder, silverer, electroplater.
• For the horse: Inferior horse, claiming horse, selling plater (a horse run in races where it is for sale).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Selling plater: A specific type of race where all horses are for sale at a declared price; a horse that runs in such races.
  • The old gelding was a consistent selling plater, often changing owners.

Noun

1. a skilled worker who coats articles with a film of metal (usually silver or gold)