ˈplɑ:stə n. & v. --n. 1 a
soft pliable mixture esp. of lime
putty with sand or Portland
cement etc.
for spreading on walls, ceilings,
etc., to
form a
smooth hard surface when dried. 2
Brit. = sticking-plaster (see STICK(2)). 3
hist. a
curative or
protective substance spread on a
bandage etc.
and applied to
the body (mustard plaster). --v.tr. 1
cover (a
wall etc.) with plaster or a
similar substance. 2 (often foll. by with)
coat thickly or to
excess;
bedaub (plastered the
bread with
jam; the wall
was plastered with slogans). 3 stick or
apply (a thing) thickly like plaster (plastered
glue all over it). 4 (often foll. by down)
make (esp. hair) smooth with
water,
cream, etc.;
fix flat. 5 (as plastered adj.) sl.
drunk. 6 apply a
medical plaster or plaster
cast to. 7 sl.
bomb or
shell heavily. øplaster cast 1 a bandage stiffened with plaster of Paris and applied to a
broken limb etc. 2 a
statue or mould
made of plaster. plaster of Paris fine
white plaster made of
gypsum and used for
making plaster casts etc. plaster
saint iron. a
person regarded as
being without moral faults or
human frailty. øøplasterer n. plastery adj. [ME f. OE & OF plastre or F plastrer f. med.L plastrum f. L emplastrum f. Gk emplastron]
