*plasma*

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. 'i`dios proper, peculiar + &unr_; a form, mold. ] (Biol.) That portion of the cell protoplasm which is the seat of all active changes, and which carries on the function of hereditary transmission; -- distinguished from the other portion, which is termed nutritive plasma. See Hygroplasm. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ NL., fr. Gr. ka`ryon a nut + pla`sma a thing molded. ] (Biol.) The protoplasmic substance of the nucleus of a cell; nucleoplasm; -- in opposition to cytoplasm, the protoplasm of the cell. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. ky`tos a hollow vessel + pla`sma thing molded. ] (Biol.) See Karyoplasma. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. See Nucleus, and Idioplasma. ] (Biol.) Hyaline plasma contained in the nucleus of vegetable cells. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Ovum + plasma. ] (Boil.) Yolk; egg yolk. Haeckel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Plasm. ] 1. (Min.) 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. (Biol.) 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. (Med.) A mixture of starch and glycerin, used as a substitute for ointments. U. S. Disp. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. same as blood plasma. [ PJC ]

6. (physics) 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 ]

Blood plasma (Physiol.), the colorless fluid of the blood, in which the red and white blood corpuscles are suspended. It may be obtained by centrifuation of blood to remove the blood cells. It is distinguished from serum in that plasma still has the fibrin of blood, and may be clotted, while in serum the fibrin has been removed. --
Muscle plasma (Physiol.), the fundamental part of muscle fibers, a thick, viscid, albuminous fluid contained within the sarcolemma, which on the death of the muscle coagulates to a semisolid mass. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

{ } a. [ Gr. &unr_;. ] 1. Forming; shaping; molding. [ Obs. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to plasma; having the character of plasma; containing, or conveying, plasma. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. plasmatio. ] The act of forming or molding. [ R. ] Grafton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] A former; a fashioner. [ R. ] “The sovereign plasmator, God Almighty.” Urquhart. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Form; mold. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Protoplasmic. [ 1913 Webster ]