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Webster 1913 Edition
Plastic
Plas′tic
(plăs′tĭk)
, Adj.
[L.
plasticus
, Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to form, mold: cf. F. plastique
.] 1.
Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of matter;
as, the
. plastic
hand of the CreatorPrior.
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 child3.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Plastic
PLAS'TIC
,Adj.