plaster of Paris

alternative plaster-of-Paris

1. uncountableA hemihydrate of calcium sulfate, made by calcining gypsum, that hardens when moistened and allowed to dry; used to make casts, molds and sculpture.

   Treatment of an acute occult dislocation of the ankle consists of immobilization in a snugly fitting plaster-of-paris cast, with little padding.

   1954 February 15, D. Keith Millett, Myron O. Henry, “Occult Ankle Dislocations”, in Modern Medicine, volume 22, number 4, Minneapolis, Minn.: Modern Medicine Publications, Inc., page 93

   1 more example

   So that in fact, the drinkers of green tea, as it comes to the Eng­lish market, indulge in a beverage of Chinese paint, and might imitate the paint by dissol­ving prussian blue and plaster of Paris in hot water.

   1847, editorial staff, “Chemical Analysis of Tea”, in Scientific American, series 1, Volume 3, Issue 10, page 80

   Synonyms: gypsum plaster, plaster