ok 'plata' means silver...but..?

Question

is it of central/south american indian origin?? i don't think it's from latin.

Please capitalise the English , there are members learning English . It is latin. - ray76, Oct 26, 2013

Got you covered, Ray. Can/Will do. :) No offense intended. I knew only of 'argens, argentis' for silver, and platus, a, um, for 'flat'. But it does make sense that "flat" could, and obvious ly did, developep into 'what is plated', i.e. silver.. Merci! - dadeel, Oct 27, 2013

Answer 1

is it of central/south american indian origin?? i don't think it's from latin.

No. At least, it appears to be directly descended from the Latin word "plattus," a term originally used to describe a thin sheet of metal, usually gold or silver. This, itself, was derived from the Greek word "??????" or "platus," a word originally meant to convey the idea of flatness.

Answer 2

It is where the English obtained the word "Plate " because the early plates were made

from silver = "plate"

Answer 3

It comes from the Greek word platos but there was a Latin word plattus or platus. The common Latin word is argentum which is why the elemental symbol is "Ag".

Good one mate the French of course use the word "Argent " for silver and for coin . whereas we went the way of plata , we say " silver plate ' which is almost like saying " silver silver" . - ray76, Oct 26, 2013

Answer 4

The RAE say it´s origins are Latin and Greek:

(Del lat. plattus, platus, plano, del gr. ??????).