plaque
pronunciation
How to pronounce plaque in British English:
UK [plæk]
How to pronounce plaque in American English:
US [plæk]
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- Noun:
- (pathology) a small abnormal patch on or inside the body
- a memorial made of brass
Word Origin
- plaque (n.)
- 1848, "ornamental plate or tablet," from French plaque "metal plate, coin" (15c.), perhaps through Flemish placke "small coin," from Middle Dutch placke "disk, patch, stain," related to German Placken "spot, patch" (compare placard). Meaning "deposit on walls of arteries" is first attested 1891; that of "bacteria deposits on teeth" is 1898.
Example
- 1. Bacteria in plaque also cause gingivitis and other periodontal diseases .
- 2. Partly as a consequence of this , the plaque theory is waning .
- 3. And some experts believe its flavenoids may inhibit the growth of plaque on teeth .
- 4. At first , cholesterol was entirely bad ; the correlations linked high levels of the substance with plaque .
- 5. Over time , the buildup of plaque deposits can rupture and cause total blockage of the blood flow to the heart .