Etymology Map
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Plastic

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a synthetic material that can be moulded; easily shaped

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

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

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.