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tray

(trā)

1. A shallow flat receptacle with a raised edge or rim, used for carrying, holding, or displaying articles.

2. A shallow flat receptacle with its contents: took the patient a dinner tray.

[Middle English, from Old English trēg; see deru- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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