cataplasm: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Technical, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “cataplasm” mean?
A medical poultice, a soft moist mass of material (such as clay, bread, or herbs) applied to the body to soothe soreness or inflammation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical poultice, a soft moist mass of material (such as clay, bread, or herbs) applied to the body to soothe soreness or inflammation.
In a broader, often archaic or literary sense, any substance applied like a plaster or dressing; sometimes used metaphorically for something that soothes or alleviates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare in both variants.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of antiquity or historical medical practice.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both regions, slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical texts due to the tradition of herbalism.
Grammar
How to Use “cataplasm” in a Sentence
apply [cataplasm] to [body part]prepare [cataplasm] from [ingredients]a cataplasm of [substance]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cataplasm” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The healer cataplasmed the wound with a paste of comfrey. (Note: 'cataplasm' as a verb is extremely rare and non-standard)
American English
- The old remedy book suggested cataplasming the chest with a mustard mixture. (Note: 'cataplasm' as a verb is extremely rare and non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He applied the herbs cataplasmically, following the ancient method. (Note: highly contrived, not in standard use)
American English
- The medicine worked cataplasmically, drawing out the inflammation. (Note: highly contrived, not in standard use)
adjective
British English
- The cataplasmic mixture was warm and pungent. (Note: 'cataplasmic' is a rare derivative)
American English
- They followed a cataplasmic treatment from an 18th-century manual. (Note: 'cataplasmic' is a rare derivative)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, medical, or pharmacological papers discussing pre-modern treatments.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would sound archaic or pretentious.
Technical
Used in specific contexts of herbal medicine, historical reenactment medicine, or in translating classical texts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cataplasm”
- Misspelling as 'cataplasam' or 'cataplam'.
- Using it as a verb (it is strictly a noun).
- Confusing it with a 'catalyst'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. Modern medical professionals would use terms like 'medicated dressing', 'poultice', or 'compress'.
A cataplasm is typically a soft, moist mass applied for its therapeutic ingredients, while a plaster (in the medical sense) is often a solid or semi-solid adhesive dressing.
You can, but it will likely confuse listeners and sound deliberately old-fashioned or technical. 'Poultice' is the more common, though still somewhat specialized, synonym.
Historically, ingredients included bread, milk, herbs (like comfrey or mustard), clay, linseed meal, and other natural substances believed to have drawing or soothing properties.
A medical poultice, a soft moist mass of material (such as clay, bread, or herbs) applied to the body to soothe soreness or inflammation.
Cataplasm is usually technical, historical, literary in register.
Cataplasm: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkatəplaz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkædəˌplæzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None commonly associated.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CAT applying a PLAStic Mass (cataplasm) to its paw as a poultice.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALING IS APPLYING A SOFT LAYER
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'cataplasm' most accurately defined as?