I. ˈplān intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French pleindre, plaindre, from Latin plangere to lament — more at plaint
Date: 14th century
archaic : complain
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin planum, from neuter of planus flat, plain — more at floor
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : an extensive area of level or rolling treeless country
b. : a broad unbroken expanse
2. : something free from artifice, ornament, or extraneous matter
III. adjective
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : even , level
2. : lacking ornament : undecorated
3. : free of extraneous matter : pure
4. : free of impediments to view : unobstructed
5.
a.
(1) : evident to the mind or senses : obvious
it's perfectly plain that they will resist
(2) : clear
let me make my meaning plain
b. : marked by outspoken candor : free from duplicity or subtlety : blunt
plain talk
6.
a. : belonging to the masses : common
b. : lacking special distinction or affectation : ordinary
7. : characterized by simplicity : not complicated
plain home-cooked meals
8. : lacking beauty or ugliness
Synonyms: see common , evident , frank
• plain·ly adverb
• plain·ness ˈplān-nəs noun
IV. adverb
Date: 14th century
: in a plain manner : without obscurity or ambiguity
saw them clearly and told you plain — American Documentation
V. adverb
Etymology: partly from Middle English plein entire, complete, from Anglo-French, full, from Latin plenus; partly from plain (IV) — more at full
Date: 1535
: absolutely 1
it plain galled me to pay fancy prices — F. R. Buckley