pla·teau  (pl ă-t ō)
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n. pl. pla·teaus or pla·teaux (-t ōz ) 1. An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland. 2. A relatively stable level, period, or state: Mortgage rates declined, then reached a plateau. intr.v. pla·teaued, pla·teau·ing, pla·teaus To reach a stable level; level off: "The tension seemed to grow by degrees, then it plateaued" (Tom Clancy).
[French, from Old French platel, platter, from plat, flat; see PLATE.] |
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