Plastic
/ˈplæs.tɪk/noun
A synthetic material that can be shaped or molded, or anything capable of being molded or easily influenced.
Did you know?Its deeper origin is Greek πλαστός (plastós), from πλάσσω (plássō), “to mold or form,” a root tied to making shapes, figures, and even deceptive appearances.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*plē-
“to fill, spread, or make flat”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πλάσσω (plássō)
“to mold, shape, or form”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πλαστός (plastós)
“molded, formed; fabricated”
Late Latin
Latin
plasticus
“moldable, capable of being shaped”
16th–17th Century
English
plastic
“having the quality of being shaped or molded”
20th Century
English
plastic
“a synthetic molding material”