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thermoplastic

[ thur-muh-plas-tik ]

adjective

  1. soft and pliable when heated, as some plastics, plastics, without any change of the inherent properties.

noun

  1. a plastic of this type.

thermoplastic

/ ˌθɜːməʊplæˈstɪsɪtɪ; ˌθɜːməʊˈplæstɪk /

adjective

  1. See thermosetting
    (of a material, esp a synthetic plastic or resin) becoming soft when heated and rehardening on cooling without appreciable change of properties Compare thermosetting

noun

  1. a synthetic plastic or resin, such as polystyrene, with these properties

thermoplastic

/ thûr′mə-plăs′tĭk /

  1. Of or relating to a compound that can be repeatedly made soft and hard through heating and cooling. Polyethylene and polystyrene are thermoplastic resins.
  2. Compare thermosetting

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Derived Forms

  • thermoplasticity, noun

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Other Words From

  • ther·mo·plas·tic·i·ty [thur-moh-pla-, stis, -i-tee], noun
  • nonther·mo·plastic adjective noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of thermoplastic1

First recorded in 1880–85; thermo- + plastic

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