Plastic element

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. [1913 Webster]

See plastic Nature working to his end. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

2. Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or plaster; -- used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Medallions . . . fraught with the plastic beauty and grace of the palmy days of Italian art. --J. S. Harford. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]