Protoplasmic
/ˌproʊtəˈplæzmɪk/noun
Relating to protoplasm, the living material of a cell.
Did you know?The underlying word “protoplasm” was introduced into scientific language in the 19th century, drawing on Greek words for “first” and “molded substance.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per- / *pro-
“Forward, before, or in front—the ancient root behind ideas of precedence and priority”
Ancient Greek
Greek
prōtos
“First, earliest, or foremost”
Ancient Greek
Greek
plásma
“Something molded or formed; a form or substance shaped by a maker”
1840
New Latin
protoplasma
“The first-formed or fundamental living substance; a scientific term associated with Jan Evangelista Purkyně”
19th Century
English
protoplasm
“The living substance of cells”
19th Century
English
protoplasmic
“Relating to protoplasm”