plastic

a. [ L. plasticus, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to form, mold: cf. F. plastique. ] 1. Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of matter; as, the plastic hand of the Creator. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

See plastic Nature working to his end. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or plaster; -- used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Pertaining or appropriate to, or characteristic of, molding or modeling; produced by, or appearing as if produced by, molding or modeling; -- said of sculpture and the kindred arts, in distinction from painting and the graphic arts. [ 1913 Webster ]

Medallions . . . fraught with the plastic beauty and grace of the palmy days of Italian art. J. S. Harford. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ 1913 Webster ]

Plastic clay (Geol.), one of the beds of the Eocene period; -- so called because used in making pottery. Lyell. --
Plastic element (Physiol.), one that bears within the germs of a higher form. --
Plastic exudation (Med.), an exudation thrown out upon a wounded surface and constituting the material of repair by which the process of healing is effected. --
Plastic foods. (Physiol.) See the second Note under Food. --
Plastic force. (Physiol.) See under Force. --
Plastic operation, an operation in plastic surgery. --
Plastic surgery, that branch of surgery which is concerned with the repair or restoration of lost, injured, or deformed parts of the body. [ 1913 Webster ]