Pronunciation: - ' pa-r ə s
Usage: often cap 2d P
Etymology: Paris, France
Date: 15th century
: a white powdery slightly hydrated calcium sulfate CaSO 4 ·1/2H 2 O or 2CaSO 4 ·H 2 O made by calcining gypsum and used chiefly for casts and molds in the form of a quick-setting paste with water