What is "plastic clay"

Plastic \Plas"tic\ (pl[a^]s"t[i^]k), a. [L. plasticus, Gr. ?, fr. ? to form, mold: cf. F. plastique.]

1. Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of matter; as, the plastic hand of the Creator.
   --Prior.

   See plastic Nature working to his end.
   --Pope.

2. Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or plaster; -- used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind of a child.

3. Pertaining or appropriate to, or characteristic of, molding or modeling; produced by, or appearing as if produced by, molding or modeling; -- said of sculpture and the kindred arts, in distinction from painting and the graphic arts.

   Medallions . . . fraught with the plastic beauty and grace of the palmy days of Italian art.
   --J. S. Harford.

   Plastic clay (Geol.), one of the beds of the Eocene period; -- so called because used in making pottery.
   --Lyell.

   Plastic element (Physiol.), one that bears within the germs of a higher form.

   Plastic exudation (Med.), an exudation thrown out upon a wounded surface and constituting the material of repair by which the process of healing is effected.

   Plastic foods. (Physiol.) See the second Note under Food.

   Plastic force. (Physiol.) See under Force.

   Plastic operation, an operation in plastic surgery.

   Plastic surgery, that branch of surgery which is concerned with the repair or restoration of lost, injured, or deformed parts of the body.