Platten

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To make a surface flat or level by pressing or beating it down, an archaic and dialect usage
2. Describing the act of smoothing or levelling something so that it lies flat against the ground or a surface
3. An old verb meaning to press or beat a thing into an even, flat shape

Etymology: German "platten" is the verb meaning "to flatten," and it is built directly on the adjective "platt," meaning "flat." Its family goes back to the same root as the English word "flat" and the older English "plat," which also meant flat or level. The verb form adds the familiar German infinitive ending "-en" to that adjective, so the sense is simply "to make flat." The verb is a plain, transparent formation, and its meaning follows its base: to press, beat, or spread something out until it lies level. Anyone who knows the adjective can read the verb at a glance, which is why it has stayed so close in form to its source over the centuries.