plastic

Where does the word "plastic" come from? It comes from Greek plastikos, passing through Latin before entering English (1900s).

Plastic’s story begins in Greek: plastikos meant “fit for moulding.” From 'plassein', to mould. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as plasticus. Relating to moulding. It reached English by 1900s as plastic. Applied to synthetic materials after Bakelite was invented in 1907. Today, plastic means a synthetic material that can be moulded; easily shaped.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient plastikos "fit for moulding", from 'plassein', to mould.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient plasticus "mouldable", relating to moulding.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1900s plastic "synthetic material", applied to synthetic materials after Bakelite was invented in 1907.