plaster of Paris

American  

Or plaster of paris

noun

1. calcined gypsum in white, powdery form, used as a base for gypsum plasters, as an additive of lime plasters, and as a material for making fine and ornamental casts: characterized by its ability to set rapidly when mixed with water.

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plaster of Paris British  

noun

1. a white powder that sets to a hard solid when mixed with water, used for making sculptures and casts, as an additive for lime plasters, and for making casts for setting broken limbs. It is usually the hemihydrate of calcium sulphate, 2CaSO 4 .H 2 O

2. the hard plaster produced when this powder is mixed with water: a fully hydrated form of calcium sulphate

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plaster of Paris Scientific  

/ plăs′tər /

1. A form of calcium phosphate derived from gypsum. It is mixed with water to make casts and molds.

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Etymology

Origin of plaster of Paris

1375–1425; late Middle English; so called because prepared from the gypsum of Paris, France

Example Sentences

They had followed the trail from Hardacre to Neal, who thought he'd replaced some of the costly sugar in the sweets with plaster of Paris.

From BBC • Oct. 30, 2023

I still love using modeling clay, I love mixing plaster of Paris, I love using oil paints, and the smells!

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2023

Heritage noticed some residue in the grooves — plaster of Paris, a clue that they had been used in a stereotype printing process developed in the 1830s.

From New York Times • Dec. 2, 2022

"Looks like plaster of Paris or sort of a grayish beach sand."

From Salon • Nov. 3, 2022

A model of the bell, as if it were solid, was first made of clay and plaster of Paris.

From "Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay

Related Words

• adhesive
• cement
• glue
• lime
• mortar
• stucco