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Definition of plains - 4 dictionary results

plain

1  [pleyn] adjective, -er, -est, adverb, noun
Use plains in a Sentence
–adjective
1. clear or distinct to the eye or ear: a plain trail to the river; to stand in plain view.
2. clear to the mind; evident, manifest, or obvious: to make one's meaning plain.
3. conveying the meaning clearly and simply; easily understood: plain talk.
4. downright; sheer; utter; self-evident: plain folly; plain stupidity.
5. free from ambiguity or evasion; candid; outspoken: the plain truth of the matter.
6. without special pretensions, superiority, elegance, etc.; ordinary: plain people.
7. not beautiful; physically unattractive or undistinguished: a plain face.
8. without intricacies or difficulties.
9. ordinary, simple, or unostentatious: Although she was a duchess, her manners were attractively plain.
10. with little or no embellishment, decoration, or enhancing elaboration: a plain blue suit.
11. without a pattern, figure, or device: a plain fabric.
12. not rich, highly seasoned, or elaborately prepared, as food: a plain diet.
13. flat or level: plain country.
14. unobstructed, clear, or open, as ground, a space, etc.
15. Cards. being other than a face card or a trump.
–adverb
16. clearly and simply: He's just plain stupid.
–noun
17. an area of land not significantly higher than adjacent areas and with relatively minor differences in elevation, commonly less than 500 ft. (150 m), within the area.
18. The Plains. Great Plains.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME (adj., adv., and n.) < OF (adj. and n.) < L plānus flat, level, plānum flat country

Related forms:
plainly, adverb
plainness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 2. lucid, understandable, intelligible, unmistakable, apparent, perspicuous. 2, 3. unambiguous, unequivocal, patent, transparent; direct. 5. unreserved, straightforward, blunt, frank, ingenuous, open, sincere. 6. unpretentious. 10. unadorned. See homely.

Antonyms:
1. indistinct. 2. obscure. 13. hilly.

plain

2  [pleyn]
–verb (used without object) British Dialect.
to complain.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME plei(g)nen < OF plaign-, s. of plaindre < L plangere to beat (the breast, etc.), lament; akin to Gk plssein to strike
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To plains
plain   (plān)   
adj.   plain·er, plain·est

  1. Free from obstructions; open; clear: in plain view.

  2. Obvious to the mind; evident: make one's intention plain. See Synonyms at apparent.

  3. Not elaborate or complicated; simple: plain food.

  4. Straightforward; frank or candid: plain talk.

  5. Not mixed with other substances; pure: plain water.

  6. Common in rank or station; average; ordinary: a plain man.

  7. Not pretentious; unaffected.

  8. Marked by little or no ornamentation or decoration.

  9. Not dyed, twilled, or patterned: a plain fabric.

  10. Lacking beauty or distinction: a plain face.

  11. Sheer; utter; unqualified: plain stupidity.

  12. Archaic Having no visible elevation or depression; flat; level.

n.  

    1. An extensive, level, usually treeless area of land.

    2. A broad level expanse, as a part of the sea floor or a lunar mare.

  2. Something free of ornamentation or extraneous matter.

adv.   Informal
Clearly; simply: plain stubborn.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin plānus; see pelə-2 in Indo-European roots.]
plain'ly adv., plain'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean not ornate, ostentatious, or showy: a plain hairstyle; a modest cottage; a simple dark suit; an unostentatious office; an unpretentious country church.
Antonym: ornate
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

plain  (adj.)
c.1300, "flat, smooth," from O.Fr. plain, from L. planus "flat, even, level" (see plane (1)). Sense of "evident" is from, c.1300; meaning "simple, sincere, ordinary" is recorded from c.1374. In ref. to the dress and speech of Quakers, it is recorded from 1827; of Amish and Mennonites, from 1904. Of appearance, as a euphemism for "ill-favored, ugly" it dates from 1749. Plain Jane "unattractive woman" first attested 1912. Plain-spoken first attested 1678. Plain clothes "ordinary dress" (as opposed to military uniform) is from 1822; of police detectives, it is attested from 1842. Plain-song (1513) translates L. cantus planus.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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