ENGLISH
REFERENCE

plasma

n. · v.
US //ˈpɫæzmə// UK //plˈæzmɐ// plas·ma
  1. 1 green quartz (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic

    a type of green stone used in the past for making jewelry and decorations.

    a variety of leek-green chalcedony or quartz, historically used for engraved gems and ornaments.

    Example

    The museum displayed an ancient ring made of carved green plasma.

    Example

    The collection included several exquisite intaglios carved from plasma, a material favoured by Roman lapidaries for its deep, translucent green hue.
  2. 2 to turn into plasma (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Science

    to change something into the plasma state of matter.

    to convert a substance into a plasma state, typically through intense heating or electromagnetic fields.

    Example

    The machine uses high energy to plasma the gas inside the chamber.

    Example

    In the experimental reactor, the hydrogen fuel is heated until it begins to plasma, allowing for the study of high-energy particle interactions.
    • ionize
Origin

From Late Latin plasma (“mold”), from Ancient Greek πλάσμα (plásma, “something formed”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related words

Last updated June 20, 2026