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

A team from Aberdeen University was despatched to document the scene, stopping to pick up supplies like plaster of Paris from craft shops on the way, before the site was destroyed by the weather forever.

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

The show consists of life-size figures, cast from live models in gauze and plaster of Paris, arranged in installations on two floors of the gallery’s townhouse.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 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

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

From Salon • Nov. 3, 2022

MoMo removed his custom Elvis-with-sideburns hairpiece and placed it carefully on the plaster of Paris wig form made to look just like MoMo, complete with long, fat mustache and oversize sunglasses.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray

Related Words

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