Definition of plastic
- a. - Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of
matter; as, the plastic hand of the Creator.
- a. - Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or
plaster; -- used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child.
- a. - 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.
- n. - 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]