Category:Plastic

Plas"tic, a. Etym: [l. plasticus, gr. plastique.]

1. Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of matter; as, The plastic hand of the creator. Prior. See plastic nature working to his end. Pope.

2. Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or plaster; - - used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child.

3. Pertaining or appropriate to, or characteristic of, molding or Modeling; produced by, or appearing as if produced by, molding or Modeling; -- said of sculpture and the kindred arts, in distinction From painting and the graphic arts. Medallions. . . fraught with the plastic beauty and grace of the Palmy days of italian art. J. S. Harford. Plastic clay (geol.), one of the beds of the eocene period; -- so Called because used in making pottery. Lyell. -- plastic element (physiol.), one that bears within the germs of a Higher form. -- plastic exudation (med.), an exudation thrown out upon a wounded Surface and constituting the material of repair by which the process Of healing is effected. -- plastic foods. (physiol.) See the second note under food. -- plastic force. (physiol.) See under force. -- plastic operation, an operation in plastic surgery. -- plastic surgery, that branch of surgery which is concerned with The repair or restoration of lost, injured, or deformed parts of the Body.

Defn: a substance composed predominantly of a synthetic organic high Polymer capable of being cast or molded; many varieties of plastic Are used to produce articles of commerce (after 1900). [mw10 gives Origin of word as 1905]