plaque

plural plaques

1. countableAny flat, thin piece of clay, ivory, metal, etc., used for ornament, or for painting pictures upon, as a dish, plate, slab, etc., hung upon a wall; also, a smaller decoration worn by a person, such as a brooch.
2. countableA piece of flat metal with writing on it, attached to a building, monument, or other structure to remind people of a person or an event.
3. countableA small card representing an amount of money, used for betting in casinos; a sort of gaming chip.

   But on this June evening when Bond walked through the 'kitchen' into the salle privée, it was with a sensation of confidence and cheerful anticipation that he changed a million francs into plaques of fifty mille and took a seat […]

   1953, Ian Fleming, Casino Royale

4. countablebiologyA clearing in a bacterial lawn caused by a virus.
5. countableentertainmentIn the Hornbostel–Sachs classification system: any flat, thin musical instrument.

   blown plaques

   1 more example

   aconcussion plaques

6. countablemedicineA broad patch of abnormal tissue distinguishable from surrounding tissue, especially a broad papule (“inflamed, irritated patch”) on the skin.
7. countableuncountablemedicineAn abnormal accumulation of material in or on an organ of the body, often associated with disease.

   amyloid plaque

   2 more examples

   apleural plaque

   asenile plaque

   1. countableuncountablemedicineAn accumulation in artery walls made up of macrophage cells and debris containing lipids, (cholesterol and fatty acids), calcium, and connective tissue; an atheroma.

      1 more example

      As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn't entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.

      2013 July–August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke: These Devices can Spring into Shape Automatically to Open Arteries Blocked with Plaque”, in American Scientist, New Haven, Conn.: Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 29 May 2017

   2. uncountabledentistryAn accumulation of biofilm, or bacteria, on teeth, which may develop into dental calculus (tartar).
   3. countablemedicineA deposit of beta-amyloid protein occurring in a nerve cell and associated with Alzheimer's disease.