Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Plaster

Plas′ter

,
Noun.
[AS., a plaster (in sense 1), fr. L.
emplastrum
, Gr. [GREEK], [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to daub on, stuff in; [GREEK] in + [GREEK] to mold: cf. OF.
plastre
a plaster (in sense 2), F.
plâtre
. Cf.
Plastic
,
Emplaster
,
Piaster
.]
[Formerly written also
plaister
.]
1.
(Med.)
An external application of a consistency harder than ointment, prepared for use by spreading it on linen, leather, silk, or other material. It is adhesive at the ordinary temperature of the body, and is used, according to its composition, to produce a medicinal effect, to bind parts together, etc.;
as, a porous
plaster
; sticking
plaster
.
2.
A composition of lime, water, and sand, with or without hair as a bond, for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions of houses. See
Mortar
.
3.
Calcined gypsum, or plaster of Paris, especially when ground, as used for making ornaments, figures, moldings, etc.; or calcined gypsum used as a fertilizer.
Plaster cast
,
a copy of an object obtained by pouring plaster of Paris mixed with water into a mold.
Plaster of Paris
.
[So called because originally brought from a suburb of Paris.]
(Chem.)
Anhydrous calcium sulphate, or calcined gypsum, which forms with water a paste which soon sets or hardens, and is used for casts, moldings, etc. The term is loosely applied to any plaster stone or species of gypsum.
Plaster of Paris bandage
(Surg.)
,
a bandage saturated with a paste of plaster of Paris, which on drying forms a perfectly fitting splint.
Plaster stone
,
any species of gypsum. See
Gypsum
.

Plas′ter

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Plastered
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Plastering
.]
[Cf. OF.
plastrer
to plaster (in sense 2), F.
plâtrer
.]
1.
To cover with a plaster, as a wound or sore.
2.
To overlay or cover with plaster, as the ceilings and walls of a house.
3.
Fig.: To smooth over; to cover or conceal the defects of; to hide, as with a covering of plaster.
Bale.

Webster 1828 Edition


Plaster

PL`ASTER

,
Noun.
[L. emplastrum; Gr. to daub or smear, properly to lay or spread on; to daub or to fashion, mold or shape.]
1.
A composition of lime, water and sand, well mixed into a kind of paste and used for coating walls and partitions of houses. This composition when dry becomes hard, but still retains the name of plaster. Plaster is sometimes made of different materials, as chalk, gypsum,&c. and is sometimes used to parget the whole surface of a building.
2.
In pharmacy, an external application of a harder consistence than an ointment, to be spread, according to different circumstances,either on linen or leather.
Plaster of Paris, a composition of several species of gypsum dug near Montmartre, near Paris in France, used in building and in casting busts and statues. In popular language, this name is applied improperly to plaster-stone, or to any species of gypsum.

PL`ASTER

,
Verb.
T.
To overlay with plaster, as the partitions of a house, walls, &c.
1.
To cover with plaster, as a wound.
2.
In popular language, to smooth over; to cover or conceal defects or irregularities.

Definition 2024


plaster

plaster

See also: plåster

English

Alternative forms

Noun

plaster (countable and uncountable, plural plasters)

  1. (uncountable) A paste applied to the skin for healing or cosmetic purposes.
  2. (countable, New Zealand, Britain) A small adhesive bandage to cover a minor wound; a sticking plaster.
  3. (uncountable) A mixture of lime or gypsum, sand, and water, sometimes with the addition of fibres, that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls and ceilings.
  4. (countable) A cast made of plaster of Paris and gauze; plaster cast.
  5. (uncountable) plaster of Paris.

Derived terms

See also

Translations

Verb

plaster (third-person singular simple present plasters, present participle plastering, simple past and past participle plastered)

  1. (transitive) To cover or coat something with plaster, or apply a plaster.
    Her face was plastered in mud.
  2. (transitive) To hide or cover up, as if with plaster.
    The radio station plastered the buses and trains with its advertisement.

Derived terms

See also

Translations

Anagrams


Danish

Etymology

From late Old Norse plástr, from Medieval Latin plastrum, from Latin emplastrum.

Noun

plaster n (singular definite plastret or plasteret, plural indefinite plastre)

  1. band-aid, plaster or sticking plaster

Inflection


Polish

Noun

plaster m inan

  1. plaster, sticking plaster, band-aid

Declension

Derived terms

  • plasterek (diminutive)

Swedish

Noun

plaster

  1. indefinite plural of plast