platen

Meaning

Noun

• The part of a printing press which presses the paper against the type and by which the impression is made.
• The part of a typewriter or printer on which the paper rests to receive an impression.
• The movable table of a planer or other machine tool, on which the work is fastened, and presented to the action of the tool.
• The flat glass surface of a scanner or photocopier on which operators place items to be scanned.

Origin

• From French platine, from plat. See plate, and compare platin.