catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Plastic \Plas"tic\ (pl[a^]s"t[i^]k), a. [L. plasticus, Gr. ?,
     fr. ? 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 Creator. --Prior.
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              See plastic Nature working to his end. --Pope.
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     2. Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or
        plaster; -- used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind
        of a child.
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     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.
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              Medallions . . . fraught with the plastic beauty and
              grace of the palmy days of Italian art. --J. S.
                                                    Harford.
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     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.
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     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.