The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Plate \Plate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Plated; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Plating.]
   1. To cover or overlay with gold, silver, or other metals,
      either by a mechanical process, as hammering, or by a
      chemical process, as electrotyping.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To cover or overlay with plates of metal; to arm with
      metal for defense.
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            Thus plated in habiliments of war.    --Shak.
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   3. To adorn with plated metal; as, a plated harness.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To beat into thin, flat pieces, or lamin[ae].
      [1913 Webster]

   5. To calender; as, to plate paper.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Plating \Plat"ing\, n.
   1. The art or process of covering anything with a plate or
      plates, or with metal, particularly of overlaying a base
      or dull metal with a thin plate of precious or bright
      metal, as by mechanical means or by electro-magnetic
      deposition.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A thin coating of metal laid upon another metal.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. A coating or defensive armor of metal (usually steel)
      plates.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

plating
    n 1: a thin coating of metal deposited on a surface [syn:
         plating, metal plating]
    2: the application of a thin coat of metal (as by electrolysis)