Plasms

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The fundamental living substance forming cells of organisms; a fluid matrix that supports cellular components; an entity embodying the essential life force or living matter
2. The basic material constituting the living parts of cells; the liquid environment within cells that carries organelles; a vital substance believed to contain life energy
3. The living fluid making up the interior of cells; a medium transporting nutrients and organelles inside cells; a concept denoting the essence or formative substance of life

Etymology: "Plasms" is simply the plural of "plasm," which refers to living cell substance. The singular "plasm" comes from Late Latin "plasma," meaning "mold," which in turn traces back to the Ancient Greek "plásma," meaning "something formed or molded." The Greek noun belongs to a family of words built on the idea of shaping clay or wax, so the underlying notion is of a thing that has been given form. The same root gave English "plasma," which entered the language through German or French forms, and it shows how one ancient image of shaping material could branch into very different scientific senses. "Plasm" kept the older, more literal connection to a formed substance, while the biological sense developed as scientists applied the term to the living material inside cells.

Synonyms: plasma