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plasma
[ plaz-muh ]
/ ˈplæz mə /
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noun
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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Also plasm [plaz-uhm] /ˈplæz əm/ for defs. 1-3.
Origin of plasma
1705–15; <Late Latin <Greek plásma something molded or formed, akin to plássein to form, mold. See plastic
OTHER WORDS FROM plasma
plas·mat·ic [plaz-mat-ik], /plæzˈmæt ɪk/, plasmic, adjectiveWords nearby plasma
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use plasma in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for plasma
plasma
plasm
/ (ˈplæzmə) /
noun
the clear yellowish fluid portion of blood or lymph in which the red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are suspended
short for blood plasma
a former name for protoplasm, cytoplasm
physics
- a hot ionized material consisting of nuclei and electrons. It is sometimes regarded as a fourth state of matter and is the material present in the sun, most stars, and fusion reactors
- the ionized gas in an electric discharge or spark, containing positive ions and electrons and a small number of negative ions together with un-ionized material
a green slightly translucent variety of chalcedony, used as a gemstone
a less common term for whey
Derived forms of plasma
plasmatic (plæzˈmætɪk) or plasmic, adjectiveWord Origin for plasma
C18: from Late Latin: something moulded, from Greek, from plassein to mould
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for plasma (1 of 2)
plasma
[ plăz′mə ]
n.
The clear, yellowish fluid portion of blood, lymph, or intramuscular fluid in which cells are suspended.
Cell-free, sterilized blood plasma, used in transfusions.
Protoplasm or cytoplasm.
Other words from plasma
plas•mat′ic (plăz-măt′ĭk) null adj.Medical definitions for plasma (2 of 2)
plasma-
pref.
Plasma:plasmacrit.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for plasma
plasma
[ plăz′mə ]
See blood plasma.
Protoplasm or cytoplasm.
One of four main states of matter, similar to a gas, but consisting of positively charged ions with most or all of their detached electrons moving freely about. Plasmas are produced by very high temperatures, as in the Sun and other stars, and also by the ionization resulting from exposure to an electric current, as in a fluorescent light bulb or a neon sign. See more at state of matter.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for plasma (1 of 2)
plasma
[ (plaz-muh) ]
A state of matter in which some or all of the electrons have been torn from their parent atoms. The negatively charged electrons and positively charged ions move independently.
notes for plasma
Plasmas are usually associated with very high temperatures — most of the sun is a plasma, for example.
Cultural definitions for plasma (2 of 2)
plasma
[ (plaz-muh) ]
The liquid part of blood or lymph. Blood plasma is mainly water; it also contains gases, nutrients, and hormones. The red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are all suspended in the plasma of the blood.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.