Plas"ter*ly, a. Resembling plaster of Paris. [R.] "Out of gypseous or
plasterly ground." Fuller.
Plas"ter*work` (?), n. Plastering used to finish architectural
constructions, exterior or interior, especially that used for the
lining of rooms. Ordinarly, mortar is used for the greater part of the
work, and pure plaster of Paris for the moldings and ornaments.
Plas"ter*y, a. Of the nature of plaster.
The stone . . . is a poor plastery material.
Clough.
-plas"tic (-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 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.