plasma

noun plas·ma \ˈplaz-mə\

medical : the watery part of blood that contains blood cells

: a substance that is similar to a gas but that can carry electricity

: a type of visual display for computers, televisions, etc., that uses plasma with electrical charges between two sheets of glass and that produces pictures that are very clear and bright

Full Definition of PLASMA

: a green faintly translucent quartz

[New Latin, from Late Latin]

a : the fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk as distinguished from suspended material; especially : blood plasma

b : the juice that can be expressed from muscle

: protoplasm

: a collection of charged particles (as in the atmospheres of stars or in a metal) containing about equal numbers of positive ions and electrons and exhibiting some properties of a gas but differing from a gas in being a good conductor of electricity and in being affected by a magnetic field

: a display (as a television screen) consisting of discrete cells of plasma sandwiched between two layers of glass and electrodes such that each cell emits light when it receives an electric current

— plas·mat·ic \plaz-ˈma-tik\ adjective

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Origin of PLASMA

German, from Late Latin, something molded, from Greek, from plassein to mold — more at plaster

First Known Use: 1517

Rhymes with PLASMA

asthma

PLASMA Defined for Kids

plasma

noun plas·ma \ˈplaz-mə\

Definition of PLASMA for Kids

: the watery part of blood, lymph, or milk

Medical Dictionary

plasma

noun plas·ma \ˈplaz-mə\

Medical Definition of PLASMA

a : the fluid part especially of blood, lymph, or milk that is distinguished from suspended material—see blood plasma b : the juice that can be expressed from muscle

: protoplasm

: a mixture of starch and gel used as an ointment base