a combining form with the meanings “molding, formation” “surgical repair, plastic surgery,” used in the formation of compound words: angioplasty; galvanoplasty; heteroplasty.
word-forming element meaning "act or process of forming," also "plastic surgery" applied to a specific part, from Greek -plastia, from plastos "molded, formed," verbal adjective from plassein "to mold" (see plasma).
