What does plasm mean?
Plasm is an uncommon noun denoting protoplasm, the living material of a cell. It comes from a period when scientists sought broad terms for the substance that exhibited familiar signs of life, including growth, movement, responsiveness, and reproduction. The word is chiefly encountered in historical scientific writing and modern texts that quote or discuss older biological terminology. Contemporary usage generally prefers protoplasm, and the narrower term cytoplasm is also used when specifically referring to the material surrounding a cell's nucleus. Plasm should not be confused with plasma, which has several established modern meanings, including the liquid component of blood and an ionized gas. Although the vocabulary of cell biology has become more precise, plasm remains notable because it records an early attempt to name the physical basis of living organisms.
nounA chiefly historical term for protoplasm, especially the living substance of a cell.
- The living substance of a cell; protoplasm.
"Under the microscope, the cell's living plasm appeared as a delicate, flowing material."
"Under the microscope, the living plasm appeared to flow around the cell's edge."
"Her botany notes described the seed's plasm as a dense, granular substance."
The regular plural is rare because the singular noun itself is uncommon.
"The paper compared the plasms of several types of cells."
From a Greek word meaning “something molded,” plasm preserves an older scientific idea of cell material as living, form-giving substance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plasm come from?
Plasm derives from Greek plasma, meaning “a thing molded” or “something formed,” from plassein, “to mold.” The Greek term was taken into Latin and then English in scientific contexts. Related English words include protoplasm, cytoplasm, and plasmalemma, all built on the same Greek root.
Related word forms
How plasm is actually used
Plasm is now rare and chiefly occurs in historical, biological, or medical writing. In modern usage, protoplasm is generally preferred.
Easily confused with plasm
Plasm is a mostly historical synonym for protoplasm, whereas plasma has several modern meanings, including the fluid portion of blood and an ionized gas.