Meaning: A noun, plaque refers to the bacterial accumulation on teeth. It also refers to a tablet in metal, marble or clay with writing on it, placed near a monument to commemorate a person or an event.
Origin: The term is borrowed from French plaque meaning plate or patch. It's derived from Dutch plac meaning "tablet" which in turn comes from plakken meaning "to stick or stain". It has been in use in English since the mid-19th Century.
Usage: The dentist said there is a severe build-up of plaque on my mom's teeth.
The artery walls have been narrowed by plaque.
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