plastic etymology

Etymology

The word "plastic" is derived from the Greek word "plastikos," which means "capable of being molded" or "capable of being shaped." The word was first used in English in the 15th century to describe the art of sculpting. In the 19th century, the word began to be used to refer to synthetic materials that could be molded into different shapes.

Meaning

Plastic is a synthetic material that is made from a polymer. Polymers are long chains of molecules that are made up of repeating units. The repeating units in plastic are typically composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Plastic is a versatile material that can be used for a wide variety of applications, including packaging, construction, and manufacturing.

Origin

The first plastic was invented in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt. Hyatt was experimenting with a process for making ivory substitutes from cellulose nitrate. He discovered that he could create a moldable material by mixing cellulose nitrate with camphor. This material, which was called Celluloid, was the first commercially successful plastic.

Since the invention of Celluloid, many other types of plastic have been developed. Some of the most common types of plastic include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. These plastics are used in a wide variety of applications, including packaging, construction, and manufacturing.

plastic relate terms

  • Bakelite

    Etymology The word Bakelite is derived from the name of its inventor Leo Hendrik Baeke

  • plasma

    Etymology The word plasma derives from the Greek word plasma which means moldable s

  • plasm

    Etymology The word plasm comes from the Greek word πλάσμα plasma which means

  • fictile

    Etymology Fictile adjective From Latin fictilis meaning made of clay Fictitious

  • pliant

    Etymology Middle English pliant from Old French pliant present participle of plier

  • foam

    Etymology The word foam comes from the Old Norse word fóm which means foam or sc

  • laminate

    Etymology Latin lamina thin plate or layer Middle English laminate Meaning

  • vinyl

    Etymology The word vinyl is derived from the Latin word vinum which means wine Th

  • celluloid

    Etymology Celluloid is derived from the Latin word cellulose which refers to the pla

  • mold

    Etymology The word mold has multiple origins Old English molde meaning earth

  • solid

    Etymology The word solid traces its origins back to the Latin word solidus which me

  • Teflon

    Etymology The word Teflon is a portmanteau of TEF tetrafluoroethylene and lon taken

  • plaint

    Etymology and Meaning The word plaint is derived from the Anglo French word pleinant