plastic: [16] Plastic is etymologically a ‘mouldable’ substance. The word comes via French plastique and Latin plasticus from Greek plastikós ‘fit for moulding’, a derivative of the verb plássein ‘mould’ (source also of English plasma [18] and plaster). Up until the 20th century its main use in English was as an adjective, meaning ‘pliable’. The first record of its use for a ‘synthetic material made from organic compounds’ comes from 1909. The trade-name Plasticine was coined from it in the 1890s. => plasma, plaster
plastic (n.)
1905, "solid substance that can be molded," originally of dental molds, from plastic (adj.). Main current meaning, "synthetic product made from oil derivatives," first recorded 1909, coined by Leo Baekeland (see bakelite).
plastic (adj.)
1630s, "capable of shaping or molding," from Latin plasticus, from Greek plastikos "able to be molded, pertaining to molding, fit for molding," also in reference to the arts, from plastos "molded, formed," verbal adjective from plassein "to mold" (see plasma). Surgical sense of "remedying a deficiency of structure" is first recorded 1839 (in plastic surgery). Meaning "made of plastic" is from 1909. Picked up in counterculture slang with meaning "false, superficial" (1963). Plastic explosive (n.) attested from 1894.
双语例句
1. It was packaged in a fancy plastic case with attractive graphics.
它装在一个别致的有漂亮图纹的塑料盒子里。
来自柯林斯例句
2. She even had plastic surgery to change the shape of her nose.
为改变鼻子的形状，她甚至接受了整形手术。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Cover with plastic film and refrigerate for 24 hours.
覆上保鲜膜，冷藏24小时。
来自柯林斯例句
4. It was I who first raised the subject of plastic surgery.
是我第一个提到整形手术这个话题的。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Holidaymakers should beware of using plastic cards in foreign cash dispensers.