platen

American  

[plat-n] / ˈplæt n /

noun

1. a flat plate in a printing press for pressing the paper against the inked type or plate to produce an impression.

2. a rotating cylinder used for the same purpose.

3. the roller of a typewriter.

4. (on a planing machine or the like) the bed to which the work is fastened.

5. (on a testing machine) a plate for applying compression to a sample.

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platen British  

/ ˈplætən /

noun

1. a flat plate in a printing press that presses the paper against the type

2. the roller on a typewriter, against which the keys strike

3. the worktable of a machine tool, esp one that is slotted to enable T-bolts to be used

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Etymology

Origin of platen

1400–50; earlier platyne, late Middle English plateyne chalice cover < Middle French platine. See plate ¹, -ine ¹

Example Sentences

The sound of the keys striking the platen provided a reliable rhythm in the chaos I inhabited.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2022

When columnists pulled their latest gems from their typewriters — accompanied by the screech of the platen and the cry of “Copy!” — they were done.

From Washington Post • Feb. 6, 2022

The great platen, with its clawlike flanges, was suspended at rest.

From New York Times • Dec. 5, 2013

Type is hand set, and these pages of thick Domestic Etching stock were fed through a treadle-operated 1920 C&P platen press.

From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2010

The lower side of the platen was covered with a soft "packing" or "blanket" of cloth.

From The Building of a Book A Series of Practical Articles Written by Experts in the Various Departments of Book Making and Distributing by Hitchcock, Frederick H.