plastic

plastic
plastic [plas′tik]
adj.
[L plasticus < Gr plastikos < plassein, to form, prob. < IE base * plā-, flat, to smooth out > PLAIN1]
1. molding or shaping matter; formative
2.
a) capable of being molded or shaped
b) made of a plastic
3. in a flexible or changing state; impressionable
4. dealing with molding or modeling, as in sculpture
5.
☆ a) characterized by or exhibiting superficiality or a lack of originality; dehumanized; mass-produced [the plastic world of television advertising]
b) hypocritically false or synthetic; phony [a plastic smile ]
☆ 6. Informal of or designating a credit card or credit cards, or credit based on their use [plastic money]
7. Biol. capable of readily changing or adapting in form, physiology, or behavior
8. Med.
a) of or helpful in the renewal of destroyed or injured tissue
b) that can be so renewed
9. Physics capable of continuous and permanent change of shape in any direction without breaking apart
n.
1. any of various nonmetallic compounds, synthetically produced, usually from organic compounds by polymerization, which can be molded into various forms and hardened, or formed into pliable sheets or films, fibers, flexible or hard foams, etc. for commercial use
2. something made of plastic
3. Informal a credit card or credit cards, or credit based on their use
SYN.- PLIABLE
plastically
adv.
plasticity [plas′tis′ə tē]
n.

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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