Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Physical Chemistry) A Fourth State of Matter: A distinct state of matter, different from solid, liquid, or gas, found in stars and fusion reactors. It is formed when a gas is heated to such a high temperature that atoms lose their electrons, resulting in a highly electrified collection of atomic nuclei and free electrons.
   • (Mineralogy) A Green Gemstone: A slightly translucent, green variety of the mineral chalcedony, used as a gemstone.
   • (Biology) The Liquid Component of Blood: The colorless, watery fluid portion of blood and lymph in which blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets) are suspended. It contains no cells itself but carries nutrients, hormones, and proteins.

Usage Examples

• Noun (State of Matter):
  • The sun is composed primarily of plasma.
  • Scientists are researching nuclear fusion in a plasma reactor.
• Noun (Gemstone):
  • The necklace was set with beautiful beads of plasma.
• Noun (Biology):
  • Blood plasma can be donated to help patients in need.
  • Antibodies are found in the plasma.

Advanced Usage

• "Plasma physics": The branch of physics that studies the behavior and properties of plasma.
  • He specialized in plasma physics for his doctoral research.
• "Plasma screen/display": A type of flat-panel display that uses small cells containing electrically charged ionized gases (plasma) to illuminate pixels. (Note: This is a compound term using 'plasma' as a modifier).
  • Older plasma screens were known for their deep black levels.

Variants and Related Words

• Plasmatic (adj): Relating to or resembling plasma.
  • The plasmatic membrane surrounds the cell.
• Plasm (n, chiefly biological): A historical or alternative term for the formative material of cells or for plasma.
• Plasmapheresis (n): A medical procedure involving the removal, treatment, and return of blood plasma.
  • The patient underwent plasmapheresis to treat the autoimmune disorder.

Synonyms

• Ionized gas: For the state of matter.
• Blood fluid / Serum: For the biological component (Note: 'serum' is plasma without clotting factors).
• Chalcedony: For the mineralogical type (a broader category).

Related Phrases

• "Plasma membrane": Another term for the cell membrane, though this is a specific biological compound term.
• "Plasma torch": A device that generates a directed flow of plasma for cutting or welding.

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms directly centered on the word 'plasma'.)

Noun

1. (physical chemistry) a fourth state of matter distinct from solid or liquid or gas and present in stars and fusion reactors; a gas becomes a plasma when it is heated until the atoms lose all their electrons, leaving a highly electrified collection of nuclei and free electrons
   • particles in space exist in the form of a plasma
2. a green slightly translucent variety of chalcedony used as a gemstone
3. the colorless watery fluid of the blood and lymph that contains no cells, but in which the blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes) are suspended