plasma

plas·ma

noun \ˈplaz-mə\

Definition of PLASMA

1

: a green faintly translucent quartz

2

[New Latin, from Late Latin]

a : the fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk as distinguished from suspended material; especially : blood plasma

b : the juice that can be expressed from muscle

3

: protoplasm

4

: a collection of charged particles (as in the atmospheres of stars or in a metal) containing about equal numbers of positive ions and electrons and exhibiting some properties of a gas but differing from a gas in being a good conductor of electricity and in being affected by a magnetic field

5

: a display (as a television screen) consisting of discrete cells of plasma sandwiched between two layers of glass and electrodes such that each cell emits light when it receives an electric current

— plas·mat·ic \plaz-ˈma-tik\ adjective

Examples of PLASMA

1. the plasma that makes up a star
2. Our new TV is a 50-inch plasma.

Origin of PLASMA

German, from Late Latin, something molded, from Greek, from plassein to mold — more at plaster

First Known Use: 1772

Rhymes with PLASMA

asthma

plas·ma

noun \ˈplaz-mə\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PLASMA

1

a : the fluid part especially of blood, lymph, or milk that is distinguished from suspended material—see blood plasma b : the juice that can be expressed from muscle

2

: protoplasm

3

: a mixture of starch and gel used as an ointment base