plasma

Etymology

From Late Latin plasma (literally “mold”), from Ancient Greek πλάσμα (plásma, “something formed”).

noun

1. (physics) A state of matter consisting of partially ionized gas and electrons.
   Oxygen and hydrogen nuclei are intermixed with free electrons. The whole mix is electrically neutral. This is actually considered a new stage of matter called a plasma. You can see an example of an electrically produced plasma in a fluorescent light bulb or in a plasma television. 2020, Don Lincoln, The Large Hadron Collider, Johns Hopkins University Press, page 198
2. (hematology) A clear component of blood or lymph containing fibrin.
3. (hematology) Blood plasma, free of suspended cells, used in transfusions.
4. (mineralogy) A variety of green quartz, used in ancient times for making engraved ornaments.
5. (medicine, dated) A mixture of starch and glycerin, used as a substitute for ointments.
6. (computer graphics, demoscene) A visual effect in which cycles of changing colours are warped in various ways to give the illusion of liquid organic movement.
   Has anyone here written a plasma demo in C/C++ who would be willing to explain to me exactly how it works? 1999, Rage Matrix, “Coding plasma demos....HELP!”, in comp.programming (Usenet)
   However, it displayed some unique copper magic routines and plasma effects. 2005, Tamás Polgár, Freax: The Brief History of the Demoscene, volume 1, page 126
   This creates the classic 'plasma' effect seen in many demoscene videos. Jonathan Weinel, Explosions in the Mind (page 139)