plastic

The story

1. Proto-Hellenic*plátʰyō
2. Proto-Hellenic*plát͏̌t͏̌ō?
3. Ancient Greekπλάσσω (plássō)
4. Ancient Greekπλᾰστῐκός (plăstĭkós)
5. Latinplasticus
6. English todayplastic

From Latin plasticus (“of molding”), from Ancient Greek πλαστικός (plastikós), from πλάσσω (plássō, “to mold, form”). Doublet of plastique.

First known use, by meaning

• from 17th c. Capable of being moulded; malleable, flexible, pliant.
• from 17th c. Producing tissue.
• from 17th c. Creative, formative.
• from 19th c. Capable of adapting to varying conditions; characterized by environmental adaptability.
• from 19th c. Of or pertaining to the inelastic, non-brittle, deformation of a material.
• from 20th c. Made of plastic.
• from 20th c. Inferior or not the real thing.