tray

Russian Zhostovo tray.

Brass plate circa 1920.

A tray is a shallow platform designed for carrying things. It is larger than a salver, a diminutive version commonly used for lighter and smaller servings, and it can be fashioned from numerous materials, including silver, brass, sheet iron, wood, melamine, and papier-mâché. Some examples have raised galleries, handles, and short feet for support.

Trays are flat, but with raised edges to stop things from sliding off of them. They are made in a range of shapes but are commonly found in oval or rectangular forms, sometimes with cutout or attached handles with which to carry them.

Examples

Plastic tray.

A seed tray used in horticulture (for sowing and taking plant cuttings).

• A butler's tray often has a gallery, or deeper surround, handles on the short sides to facilitate carrying (usually cut into the surround), and a portable stand with folding legs. It is used for the service of drinks and generally serves as a convenient side table.

• A cafeteria tray is used for carrying items in a cafeteria. It is typically made of plastic or fiberglass. A compartment tray or mess tray is a cafeteria tray designed to be used directly, without dishes - it incorporates shallow compartments in which different types of food are placed.

• A Lazy Susan is a rotating tray, usually circular, placed on top of a table to aid in moving food on a large table or countertop.

• Surgical trays, used to carry surgical instruments, are rectangular and made of stainless steel to resist the heat of sterilization without corrosion.

• In horticulture, seed trays are used for propagating vegetables and flowers and other plants from seed. ^[1] They are also used for taking plant cuttings. The trays for seedling production are made of expanded polystyrene or polythene. They come in many sizes; the most common are the Danish and the European sized trays.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: trays

Look up tray in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• TV tray table
• Thali
• Phan (tray)

References