plane, plain, playn

t. [Fr. planer, from Lat. plano, from Low Lat. plan a =a carpenter's plane.] 1. Lit .: To make smooth, especially with a plane. *2. Fig .: To clear the way from difficulties; to make smooth. plan-ě-om-ě-try, plā-nim-ě-trỹ, subst . [Eng. plane, and Gr. metron a measure.] The art or proce of ascertaining the area or superficial contents of a surface. [STEREOTOMY.] plān'-er, *plāin-er, s . [Eng. plan (e), v.; -er.] 1. Ord. Lang.: One who or that which planes; a planing-machine. ( Chapman : Homer's Ody ey, v.) 2. Print.: A wooden block used to level the face of a form of type before printing.