plato.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *pleth₂- Proto-Indo-European *-us Proto-Indo-European *pléth₂us Proto-Hellenic *plətús Ancient Greek πλατύς (platús)bor. Vulgar Latin *plattusder. Spanish plato From Vulgar Latin *plattus, from Ancient Greek πλατύς (platús); this Spanish word may be semi-learned or else one that was used primarily by the upper classes in the Middle Ages (in contrast to the lower classes, who did not often use plates to eat), and hence retained a more learned character close to the original Latin, not undergoing all the normal sound changes into Spanish. Compare also the similar evolution of Portuguese prato. Doublet of chato, which was either a popularly used inherited word or else taken from Portuguese. See also plata (“silver”). Compare English plate and plateau.