plasma
English meaning: Plasma
Definition
A state of matter consisting of partially ionized gas and electrons
Example
“The patient was given a transfusion of blood plasma.”
Another example: “At extremely high temperatures, gas becomes plasma, the fourth state of matter.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Noun with three main senses: the liquid part of blood ('blood plasma'), an ionised gas state of matter ('plasma physics'), and a flat-panel display type ('plasma TV'). Common in medicine, physics and consumer technology.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Greek plasma 'something moulded or formed', from plassein 'to mould', adopted into science in the 19th century.
Synonyms
- serum
- ionised gas
- blood fluid
Related Words
- tokamak
- magnetosphere
- albumin
- ionized
- membrane
- platelets
- thruster
- coagulation
- etching
- torus
Common Collocations
- blood plasma
- plasma physics
- plasma screen
- plasma donation
- plasma display
- plasma cell
Word Forms
plasma (n); plasmas
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B