Dictionary Definition
flatware
Noun
1 tableware that is relatively flat and fashioned
as a single piece
2 silverware eating utensils [syn: silver]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Noun
Usage notes
Using "flatware" to refer to plates or dishes will take native English speakers aback, but is possibly acceptable when distinguishing plates from bowls.Extensive Definition
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Cutlery refers to any hand
implement used in
preparing, serving, and especially eating food in the Western
world. It is more usually known as silverware or flatware in the
United
States, where cutlery can have the more specific meaning of
knives and other cutting instruments. This is probably the original
meaning of the word. Since silverware suggests the presence of
silver, the term tableware has come into
use.
Principal meaning
The major items of cutlery in
the Western
world are the knife,
fork and spoon. In recent times, utensils
have been made combining the functionality of pairs of cutlery are
the spork (spoon / fork),
spife (spoon / knife), and
knork (knife /
fork).
Traditionally, good quality
cutlery was made from silver
(hence the U.S. name), though steel was always used for more
utilitarian knives, and pewter was used for some cheaper
items, especially spoons. From the nineteenth century,
Electroplated Nickel Silver (EPNS) was used as a cheaper
substitute; nowadays, most cutlery, including quality designs, is
made from stainless
steel. Another alternative is melchior, a
nickel and copper alloy, which can also sometiems contain
manganese.
Plastic cutlery is
made for disposable use, and is frequently used outdoors (camping, excursions, and BBQ's for instance), at
fast-food or
take-away
outlets, or provided with airline
meals.
Etymology
The word cutler derives from
the Middle
English word 'cuteler' and this in turn derives from from
Old
French 'coutelier' which comes from 'coutel'; meaning
knife.
The ancient mayan indians used
the word 'cotlar' to refer to the fork like utencils they used in
dining.
History
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
appliances, brassware, chinaware, clayware, copperware, cutlery, dining utensils,
dinnerware, durable
goods, durables,
earthenware,
enamelware, fixtures, flat silver, forks, glassware, graniteware, hard goods,
hardware, hollow ware,
housefurnishings,
housewares, ironmongery, ironware, kitchenware, knives, metalware, ovenware, silver, silver plate, silverware, spoons, sporting goods,
stainless-steel ware, stoneware, tablespoon, tableware, teaspoon, tinware, tools and machinery,
white goods, woodenware