eggcrate

See also: egg-crate and egg crate

English

Etymology

egg +‎ crate

Noun

eggcrate (countable and uncountable, plural eggcrates)

1. Alternative form of egg crate
   1. A crate for eggs.
      • 2012, Robert Shannon, Applied Optics and Optical Engineering - Volume 7, →ISBN, page 110:

        The eggcrate fused silica lightweight mirror structure is assembled from machined fused silica parts and consists usually Of two circular plates between which is fitted a core Structure of slotted, interlocking ribs (similar to the dividers in old fashioned eggcrates).

   2. A self-contained class
      • 1962, Frontiers of Science Foundation of Oklahoma, Tomorrow's teaching:

        Instead of having a nice modular eggcrate, we now want to build an immodular eggcrate. Deliberately we want to impose upon future teachers, not the nice simple eggcrate, but a more complicated one.

   3. A foam pad
      • 1996, The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing:

        Mean Skin Assessment Scale scores of patients in control, hydrocolloid dressing and eggcrate foam groups Group Mean score in treatment period

   4. A textured surface or insert.
      • 2011, David Lee Smith, Environmental Issues for Architecture, →ISBN:

        Although eggcrate louvers can effectively cut off the view of bright lamps, the grid itself can become rather bright, especially when it is white.

      • 1948, Electrical Consultant - Volume 54, page 26:

        The eggcrate is recessed in a suspended plaster ceiling and extends almost the full length of the 70 foot long store, giving the illusion of a floating ceiling.

      • 2012, Robert Shannon, Applied Optics and Optical Engineering - Volume 7, →ISBN, page 110:

        The eggcrate fused silica lightweight mirror structure is assembled from machined fused silica parts and consists usually Of two circular plates between which is fitted a core Structure of slotted, interlocking ribs (similar to the dividers in old fashioned eggcrates).

   5. A style of roof
      • 1964, Sunset, How to build patio roofs, page 55:

        An eggcrate shelter, which is open to the sky but substantial enough to give the feeling of protection, may be your answer.

      • 1993, Michael Littlewood, Landscape Detailing: Structures, →ISBN, page 6:

        One very popular type of overhead shelter is the eggcrate. The eggcrate is composed of horizontal roof supports at right angles to one another, with equal spacing in both directions.

   6. Grid-like support structure.
      • 1979, British Nuclear Energy Agency, Welding and fabrication in the nuclear industry, →ISBN, page 71:

        Eggcrates are carefully aligned at specific locations by adjusting the location of each radially with corresponding tube holes.

      • 2010, F. C. Campbell, Structural Composite Materials, →ISBN, page 115:

        To prevent distortion during the postcure, the eggcrate support structure is usually attached to the faceplate prior to postcure.

      • 2014, James Mahaffey, Atomic Accidents, →ISBN:

        There was no fuel cladding, no zirconium egg-crates holding the fuel in a rigid matrix, no steam in the reactor vessel to float away with fission products into the atmosphere, and, of course, there was no danger of the fuel melting.

2. Alternative form of egg-crating (plastic mat)
   • 2000, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium - Volume 23, Issues 10-12, page 48:

     Many hobbyists are familiar with the material known as "eggcrate." For those who don't know, eggcrate is made of plastic strips forming a grid of squares about 1/2" wide; it is available in most hardware stores in 2' x 4' sheets and usually costs less than $10.

3. A display that egg-crates multiple images.
   • 2014, Nicolae Sfetcu, Game Preview:

     The eggcrate display has been used on more game shows than any other score display in history, and is still used today on The Price Is Right.

Verb

eggcrate (third-person singular simple present eggcrates, present participle eggcrating, simple past and past participle eggcrated)

1. Alternative form of egg-crate