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(-pls"tk). [Gr. fit for molding, plastic, fr. to mold, to form.] A combining form signifying developing, forming, growing; as, heteroplastic, monoplastic, polyplastic. Plas"tic (pls"tk), 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. 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 repa スポンサード リンク
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