tie plate

American  

noun

Railroads.

1. a plate set between the base of a rail and a crosstie to distribute the rail load over a greater area of the tie and thus reduce wear and damage to it.

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Etymology

Origin of tie plate

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Another borrowed part of the money with which to obtain a patent on a railway tie plate, which was bought by ap.

From Practical Pointers for Patentees by Cresee, Franklin