1. plasma(n = noun.body) blood plasma, plasm - the colorless watery fluid of the blood and lymph that contains no cells, but in which the blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes) are suspended;
is a kind of ecf, extracellular fluid
2. plasma(n = noun.substance) - a green slightly translucent variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone;
is a kind of calcedony, chalcedony
3. plasma(n = noun.state) - (physical chemistry) a fourth state of matter distinct from solid or liquid or gas and present in stars and fusion reactors; a gas becomes a plasma when it is heated until the atoms lose all their electrons, leaving a highly electrified collection of nuclei and free electrons; "particles in space exist in the form of a plasma"
is a kind of state, state of matter
has particulars: interplanetary gas
1. A variety of quartz, of a color between grass green and leek green, which is found associated with common chalcedony. It was much esteemed by the ancients for making engraved ornaments. [1913 Webster]
2. The viscous material of an animal or vegetable cell, out of which the various tissues are formed by a process of differentiation; protoplasm. [1913 Webster]
3. Unorganized material; elementary matter. [1913 Webster]
4. A mixture of starch and glycerin, used as a substitute for ointments. U. S. Disp. [1913 Webster]
5. same as
6. a state of matter in which charged particles such as electrons and atomi nuclei have sufficiently high energy to move freely, rather than be bound in atoms as in ordinary matter; it has some of the properties of a gas, but is a conductor of electricity.
"In a typical plasma, the number of positive and negative particles are approximately equal. Plasmas are found naturally in the atmosphere of stars, and can be created in special laboratory apparatus." [PJC]
plasma, n. (also plasm)
1 the colourless fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk, in which corpuscles or fat-globules are suspended.
2 = PROTOPLASM.
3 a gas of positive ions and free electrons with an approximately equal positive and negative charge.
4 a green variety of quartz used in mosaic and for other decorative purposes.
Derivative:
plasmatic adj. plasmic adj.
Etymology:
LL, = mould f. Gk plasma -atos f. plasso to shape
N jewel, jewelry, jewellery, bijoutry, bijou, bijouterie, trinket, fine jewelry, costume jewelry, junk jewelry, gem, gemstone, precious stone, necklace, bracelet, anklet, earring, locket, pendant, charm bracelet, ring, pinky ring, carcanet, chain, chatelaine, broach, pin, lapel pin, torque, diamond, brilliant, rock, beryl, emerald, chalcedony, agate, heliotrope, girasol, girasole, onyx, plasma, sard, sardonyx, garnet, lapis lazuli, opal, peridot, tourmaline, chrysolite, sapphire, ruby, synthetic ruby, spinel, spinelle, balais, oriental, oriental topaz, turquois, turquoise, zircon, cubic zirconia, jacinth, hyacinth, carbuncle, amethyst, alexandrite, cat's eye, bloodstone, hematite, jasper, moonstone, sunstone, pearl, cultured pearl, fresh-water pearl, mother of pearl, coral, jeweler, gemologist, minerologist, lapidary, lapidarian, gemology, gemmology, minerology, bejeweled, diamond, (gemstones), gemological.
blood plasma, interstitial plasma cell pneumonia, plasma cell, plasma membrane, plasma physics, plasma protein, plasma thromboplastin antecedent