plaster of Paris
or plaster of paris
noun
calcined gypsum in white, powdery form, used as a base for gypsum plasters, as an additive of lime plasters, and as a material for making fine and ornamental casts: characterized by its ability to set rapidly when mixed with water.
Origin of plaster of Paris
1375–1425; late Middle English; so called because prepared from the gypsum of
Paris, France
Example sentences from the Web for plaster of paris
British Dictionary definitions for plaster of paris
plaster of Paris
noun
a white powder that sets to a hard solid when mixed with water, used for making sculptures and casts, as an additive for lime plasters, and for making casts for setting broken limbs. It is usually the hemihydrate of calcium sulphate, 2CaSO 4 .H 2 O
the hard plaster produced when this powder is mixed with water: a fully hydrated form of calcium sulphate
Sometimes shortened to:
plaster
Word Origin for plaster of Paris
C15: from Medieval Latin
plastrum parisiense, originally made from the gypsum of
Paris
Medical definitions for plaster of paris
plaster of Paris
[ păr′ĭs ]
n.
Any of a group of gypsum cements, essentially hemihydrated calcium sulfate, a white powder that forms a paste when mixed with water and hardens into a solid, used in making casts and molds.
Scientific definitions for plaster of paris
plaster of Paris
[ plăs′tər ]
A form of calcium phosphate derived from gypsum. It is mixed with water to make casts and molds.