Collins English-English Dictionary

plain [pleɪn]

1. 1. adj flat or smooth; level

2. 2. adj not complicated; clear

   the plain truth

3. 3. adj not difficult; simple or easy

   a plain task

4. 4. adj honest or straightforward

5. 5. adj lowly, esp in social rank or education

6. 6. adj without adornment or show

   a plain coat

7. 7. adj (of fabric) without pattern or of simple untwilled weave

8. 8. adj not attractive

9. 9. adj not mixed; simple

   plain vodka

10. 10. adj [knitting] of or done in plain

11. 11. n a level or almost level tract of country, esp an extensive treeless region

12. 12. n a simple stitch in knitting made by putting the right needle into a loop on the left needle, passing the wool round the right needle, and pulling it through the loop, thus forming a new loop

13. 13. n the unmarked white ball, as distinguished from the spot balls

14. 14. n the player using this ball

15. 15. n (in Ireland) short for plain porter, a light porter

    two pints of plain, please

16. 16. adv (intensifier)

    just plain tired

17. 17. adv See also plains

18. 18. adv [Etymology] C13: from Old French: simple, from Latin planus level, distinct, clear

plain [pleɪn]

1. 1. vb a dialect or poetic word for complain

2. 2. vb [Etymology] C14 pleignen, from Old French plaindre to lament, from Latin plangere to beat