platen

2 definitions found

platen - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Platen \Plat"en\, n. [F. platine, fr. plat flat. See Plate,
     and cf. Platin.] (Mach.)
     (a) The part of a printing press which presses the paper
         against the type and by which the impression is made.
     (b) Hence, an analogous part of a typewriter, on which the
         paper rests to receive an impression.
     (c) The movable table of a machine tool, as a planer, on
         which the work is fastened, and presented to the action
         of the tool; -- also called table.
         [1913 Webster]

platen - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  platen
      n 1: work table of a machine tool
      2: the flat plate of a printing press that presses the paper
         against the type
      3: the roller on a typewriter against which the keys strike