| plaster | 1. <medicine> An external application of a consistency harder than ointment, prepared for use by spreading it on linen, leather, silk, or other material. It is adhesive at the ordinary temperature of the body, and is used, according to its composition, to produce a medicinal effect, to bind parts together, etc.; as, a porous plaster; sticking plaster. 2. A composition of lime, water, and sand, with or without hair as a bond, for coating walls, ceilings, and partitions of houses. See Mortar. 3. Calcined gypsum, or plaster of Paris, especially when ground, as used for making ornaments, figures, moldings, etc.; or calcined gypsum used as a fertiliser. Plaster cast, a copy of an object obtained by pouring plaster of Paris mixed with water into a mold. Plaster of Paris. [So called because originally brought from a suburb of Paris. <mathematics> A bandage saturated with a paste of plaster of Paris, which on drying forms a perfectly fitting splint. Plaster stone, any species of gypsum. See Gypsum. Origin: AS, a plaster (in sense 1), fr. L. Emplastrum, Gr, fr. To daub on, stuff in; in + to mold: cf. OF. Plastre a plaster (in sense 2), F. Platre. Cf. Plastic, Emplaster, Piaster] [Formerly written also plaister. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
|---|---|
| plaster bandage | A roller bandage impregnated with plaster of Paris and applied moist; used to make a rigid dressing for a fracture or diseased joint. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plaster of Paris disease | Atrophy of bone in a limb which has been encased for some time in a plaster of Paris splint. (05 Mar 2000) |
| plaster splint | A splint constructed of bandages impregnated with plaster of Paris. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Boston opium | Opium so diluted after importation as barely to meet the official requirements. Synonym: pudding opium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| granulated opium | Opium dried and reduced to a coarse powder; it contains 10 to 10.5% anhydrous morphine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gum opium | <chemistry> The inspissated juice of the Papaver somniferum, or white poppy. Opium is obtained from incisions made in the capsules of the plant, and the best flows from the first incision. It is imported into Europe and America chiefly from the Levant, and large quantities are sent to China from India, Persia, and other countries. It is of a brownish yellow colour, has a faint smell, and bitter and acrid taste. It is a stimulant narcotic poison, which may produce hallicinations, profound sleep, or death. It is much used in medicine to soothe pain and inflammation, and is smoked as an intoxicant with baneful effects. Opium joint, a low resort of opium smokers. Origin: L, fr. Gr. Poppy juice, dim. Of vegetable juice. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| powdered opium | Dried and finely powdered opium containing 10% morphine. (05 Mar 2000) |
| pudding opium | Opium so diluted after importation as barely to meet the official requirements. Synonym: pudding opium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| deodorised opium | Denarcotised opium, powdered opium treated with purified petroleum benzine which removes certain nauseating and odourous constituents. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opium | <chemistry> The inspissated juice of the Papaver somniferum, or white poppy. Opium is obtained from incisions made in the capsules of the plant, and the best flows from the first incision. It is imported into Europe and America chiefly from the Levant, and large quantities are sent to China from India, Persia, and other countries. It is of a brownish yellow colour, has a faint smell, and bitter and acrid taste. It is a stimulant narcotic poison, which may produce hallicinations, profound sleep, or death. It is much used in medicine to soothe pain and inflammation, and is smoked as an intoxicant with baneful effects. Opium joint, a low resort of opium smokers. Origin: L, fr. Gr. Poppy juice, dim. Of vegetable juice. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |