plate rail

American  

noun

1. a rail or narrow shelf fixed along a wall to hold plates, especially for ornament or display.

---

plate rail British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: plate.  railways an early flat rail with an extended flange on its outer edge to retain wheels on the track

---

Etymology

Origin of plate rail

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

High plate rail: A deep shelf with decorative wood brackets turns the dead zone along a soffit into an attention-grabber.

From Time

Comparing them side by side on a plate rail, or hanging on the wall, old Delft is told by its soft, beautiful blue.

From Project Gutenberg

Use cedar boughs to decorate the chandelier and plate rail.

From Project Gutenberg

While the glue is hardening on these, the plate rails can be cut.

From Project Gutenberg

A friend of mine has his collection of small game birds, occupying the plate rail of his dining room, well out of the way and admired by many.

From Project Gutenberg