plasma
UK[ˈplazmə]US[ˈplæzmə]
n
The clear, yellowish fluid part of blood that carries the blood cells.
n
A state of matter similar to gas, in which some or all of the particles are ionized.
n
A green, slightly translucent variety of quartz used in ornamentation.
Morpheme Breakdown
plasm
a
plasm
something molded or formed
a
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'plasma' entered English in the early 18th century from Late Latin, which borrowed it from the Greek 'plasma', meaning 'something molded or formed'. This Greek term derives from the verb 'plassein', meaning 'to mold or shape', a root with deep Proto-Indo-European ancestry related to spreading and flattening. The scientific meanings evolved logically from this core idea of a malleable, formative substance: first describing the formative fluid part of blood (like a biological mold), then extending to the ionized 'fourth state of matter' which is shapeable by magnetic fields, and finally to the molded, ornamental stone.
Analysis
Structure: plasm (something molded or formed) + a (noun suffix)
'plasm' is from Greek 'plasma', meaning 'something molded or formed', from the verb 'plassein' (to mold, shape). The '-a' is a common Greek noun-forming suffix.
Examples
Blood plasma is often donated to help patients with clotting disorders.
The sun and stars are composed primarily of plasma.
The antique vase was made from a beautiful piece of plasma.