CHARGE PLATE Meaning and
Definition
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A charge plate refers to a small rectangular or circular metallic card that serves as a form of identification and credit instrument. It is typically made of metal such as aluminum or brass and contains the account holder's name and account number. This unique identifier allows the charge plate to function as a credit card, enabling the cardholder to make purchases on credit.
Historically, charge plates were issued by individual merchants or businesses to their loyal customers and were primarily used for store credit purposes. Unlike modern credit cards, these early forms of credit did not have magnetic stripes or computer chips and relied solely on the embossed or engraved account information on the plate.
The charge plate system typically involved the merchant maintaining a record of the customer's credit transactions manually. When a customer made a purchase, the charge plate was presented to the merchant, who would then record the transaction details on an account ledger.
While charge plates are not commonly used in today's digital age, they played a significant role in the development of credit systems and paved the way for the modern credit card industry. They symbolize the evolution of credit and the convenient payment methods we have today, offering insight into the historical context of the financial systems we currently rely on.
Common Misspellings for CHARGE PLATE
- xharge plate
- vharge plate
- fharge plate
- dharge plate
- cgarge plate
- cbarge plate
- cnarge plate
- cjarge plate
- cuarge plate
- cyarge plate
- chzrge plate
- chsrge plate
- chwrge plate
- chqrge plate
- chaege plate
- chadge plate
- chafge plate
- chatge plate
- cha5ge plate
Etymology of CHARGE PLATE
The term "charge plate" combines two words with separate origins.
1. "Charge" comes from the Middle English word "chargen", which is derived from Old French "chargier". It originally meant "to load" or "to load a burden". Over time, it gained additional meanings related to the act of burdening someone with responsibility, debt, or an obligation.
2. "Plate" comes from the Old English word "plate", meaning "dish" or "flat piece of metal". This term later expanded to refer to a flat, usually round, object made from various materials such as silver, china, or metal alloys.
The combination of these words gives us "charge plate", referring to a flat piece, typically made of metal, that carries the responsibility of recording charges or purchases. This term was commonly used in the early 20th century for credit cards or tokens issued by businesses to keep track of customers' purchases.
Similar spelling words for CHARGE PLATE
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