polystyrene
UK[ˌpɒlɪˈstaɪriːn]US[ˌpɑːliˈstaɪriːn]
n
A very light, usually white plastic used especially for making containers and for protecting delicate objects inside packages.
Morpheme Breakdown
poly
styrene
poly
many
styrene
a chemical compound
Etymology
The word 'polystyrene' is a modern scientific compound formed in the early 20th century. Its first element, 'poly-', is derived from the ancient Greek polys (much, many), indicating a substance composed of many repeating molecular units. The second element, 'styrene', originates from Styrax, the Latin name for a genus of trees whose aromatic resin (storax) was an early source of the chemical compound. Thus, the term's literal construction—"many styrene units"—precisely describes the polymer's chemical nature, where countless styrene monomers are linked together to form the solid plastic material familiar today.
Analysis
Structure: poly (many) + styrene (a chemical compound)
- poly: From Greek poly-, meaning "much, many". A combining form used in scientific vocabulary to denote polymers or multiple units.
- styrene: From Latin styrax (a tree yielding a resin) + the chemical suffix -ene. It refers to a specific liquid hydrocarbon used in making plastics and rubbers.
Examples
The fragile electronics were packed in molded polystyrene foam.
Disposable coffee cups are often made from expanded polystyrene.
Scientists are researching more biodegradable alternatives to polystyrene packaging.