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English Lexicon

Thermoplastic

/ˌθɜːr.moʊˈplæs.tɪk/
nounadjectiveCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #14500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A polymer that becomes pliable or moldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling.

    "Manufacturers frequently use thermoplastic for injection molding because scrap material can be easily remelted and reused."
As adjective
  1. 1

    Designating a polymer material that softens when heated and hardens when cooled without undergoing significant chemical change.

    "The bumper was made from a durable thermoplastic resin capable of absorbing high-impact collisions."
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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Coined in the early 20th century, the term combines the Greek 'thermos' meaning 'hot' with 'plastic', derived from the Greek 'plastikos' meaning 'to mold'. It emerged alongside the rapid development of synthetic polymer chemistry to describe materials that soften upon heating and harden upon cooling.

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