a combining form meaning “living substance,” “organelle,” “cell,” used in the formation of compound words:
chloroplast; chromoplast; protoplast.
Origin
combining form representing Greekplastós formed, molded, equivalent to plath-, base of plássein to form, mold + -tos verbal adjective suffix, with tht > st. See plastic
British Dictionary definitions for -plast
-plast
combining form
1.
indicating an organized living cell or particle of living matter: protoplast
Word Origin
from Greek plastos formed, from plassein to form
Word Origin and History for -plast
word-forming element denoting "something made," from Greek plastos "formed, molded," verbal adjective from plassein "to mold" (see plasma). Used to form names of small particles of living matter.