plaster

[ plas-ter, plah-ster ]

/ ˈplæs tər, ˈplɑ stər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR plaster ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a composition, as of lime or gypsum, sand, water, and sometimes hair or other fiber, applied in a pasty form to walls, ceilings, etc., and allowed to harden and dry.

powdered gypsum.

plaster of Paris.

a solid or semisolid preparation spread upon cloth, plastic, or other material and applied to the body, especially for some healing purpose.

verb (used with object)

to cover (walls, ceilings, etc.) with plaster.

to treat with gypsum or plaster of Paris.

to lay flat like a layer of plaster.

to daub or fill with plaster or something similar.

to apply a plaster to (the body, a wound, etc.).

to overspread with something, especially thickly or excessively: a wall plastered with posters.

Informal.

to defeat decisively; trounce; drub.
to knock down or injure, as by a blow or beating.
to inflict serious damage or injury on by heavy bombing, shelling, or other means of attack.

Nearby words

plasmoschisis, plasmosome, plasmotropic, plasmotropism, plassey, plaster, plaster bandage, plaster cast, plaster of paris, plasterboard, plastered

Origin of plaster

before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Medieval Latin plastrum plaster (both medical and building senses), aphetic variant of Latin emplastrum < Greek émplastron salve, alteration of émplaston, neuter of émplastos daubed; see em-², -plast

Related forms

plas·ter·er, nounplas·ter·i·ness, nounplas·ter·like, plas·ter·y, adjectivere·plas·ter, verb (used with object)

un·plas·ter, verb (used with object)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for plaster

Once dried, a liquid, such as plaster, wax, or bronze, is poured in for a perfect representation of the face.
The Ukrainian Face Collector Launches an Exhibition in Kiev|Nina Strochlic|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her face was cast into a plaster mold, preserving her shy smile for posterity.
Brooklyn’s Museum of Death: Inside Morbid Anatomy’s House of Intriguing Horrors|Nina Strochlic|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Plaster and ceramic replicas of organs and appendages rest on the shelves alongside sets of false teeth.
The Sacrificial Limbs of New Orleans|Nina Strochlic|March 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As one story goes, Bianca Jagger, impressed, once made a plaster cast of Mara's posterior.
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull|Mark Jacobson|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We have a lock of his hair, a few photos, and plaster footprints, along with the tiny blue urn we chose when we had him cremated.
Daily Beast Readers React to YouTube Stillborn Baby Memorials|Brandy Zadrozny|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Their cement for coating walls is like ours; the stucco flat coloured, and the colours mixed with the plaster before laying on.
A Manual of the Historical Development of Art|G. G. (Gustavus George) Zerffi
For instance, behind the plaster is the modern metal lath so superior to the old wooden variety.
If You're Going to Live in the Country|Thomas H. Ormsbee and Richmond Huntley
Clara had a nightmare, and came near choking to death on Mr. Brewer's plaster—the locket, you know.
Seeing France with Uncle John|Anne Warner
It was not long before he went about as usual, although a long strip of plaster adorned one ear.
The Sheriff of Badger|George B. Pattullo
Oft with lying skill men veneer the plaster pillar with slabs of marble, and hide soft wood with strips of mahogany.
Right Living as a Fine Art|Newell Dwight Hillis

British Dictionary definitions for plaster

plaster

/ (ˈplɑːstə) /

noun

a mixture of lime, sand, and water, sometimes stiffened with hair or other fibres, that is applied to the surface of a wall or ceiling as a soft paste that hardens when dry

British, Australian and NZ an adhesive strip of material, usually medicated, for dressing a cut, wound, etc

short for mustard plaster, plaster of Paris

verb

to coat (a wall, ceiling, etc) with plaster

(tr) to apply like plastershe plastered make-up on her face

(tr) to cause to lie flat or to adhere

(tr) to apply a plaster cast to

(tr) slang to strike or defeat with great force

Derived Forms

plasterer, nounplastery, adjective

Word Origin for plaster

Old English, from Medieval Latin plastrum medicinal salve, building plaster, via Latin from Greek emplastron curative dressing, from em- + plassein to form

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

Medicine definitions for plaster

plaster

[ plăs′tər ]

n.

Plaster of Paris.

A pastelike mixture applied to a part of the body for healing or cosmetic purposes.