elastic

elastic
I. adjective Etymology: New Latin elasticus, from Late Greek elastos ductile, beaten, from Greek elaunein to drive, beat out; probably akin to Greek ēlythe he went, Old Irish luid Date: 1674 1. a. of a solid capable of recovering size and shape after deformation b. relating to or being a collision between particles in which the total kinetic energy of the particles remains unchanged 2. capable of recovering quickly especially from depression or disappointment <
my elastic spirits revived — Wilkie Collins
>
3. capable of being easily stretched or expanded and resuming former shape ; flexible <
an elastic bandage
>
4. a. capable of ready change or easy expansion or contraction ; not rigid or constricted <
an elastic concept
>
b. receptive to new ideas ; adaptable <
an elastic mind
>
elastically adverb Synonyms: elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple mean able to endure strain without being permanently injured. elastic implies the property of resisting deformation by stretching <
an elastic waistband
>
. resilient implies the ability to recover shape quickly when the deforming force or pressure is removed <
a resilient innersole
>
. springy stresses both the ease with which something yields to pressure and the quickness of its return to original shape <
the cake is done when the top is springy
>
. flexible applies to something which may or may not be resilient or elastic but which can be bent or folded without breaking <
flexible plastic tubing
>
. supple applies to something that can be readily bent, twisted, or folded without any sign of injury <
supple leather
>
. II. noun Date: 1847 1. a. easily stretched rubber usually prepared in cords, strings, or bands b. rubber band 2. a. an elastic fabric usually made of yarns containing rubber b. something made from this fabric

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • elastic — adj 1 Elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple are comparable when they mean able to endure strain (as extension, compression, twisting, or bending) without being permanently affected or injured. Elastic and resilient are both general and… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Elastic — E*las tic ([ e]*l[a^]s t[i^]k), a. [Formed fr. Gr. elay nein to drive; prob. akin to L. alacer lively, brisk, and E. alacrity: cf. F. [ e]lastique.] 1. Springing back; having a power or inherent property of returning to the form from which a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • elastic — ELÁSTIC, Ă, elastici, ce, adj., s.n. I. adj. 1. (Despre unele obiecte) Care are proprietatea de a şi modifica forma şi dimensiunile sub acţiunea unei forţe exterioare şi de a reveni de la sine la forma şi dimensiunile iniţiale după încetarea… …   Dicționar Român

  • Elastic — may refer to:*Elastic collision, a term describing collisions in which kinetic energy is conserved *Elastic deformations, a term describing reversible deformations of materials *Elastic, a colloquial noun for certain kinds of elastomers and… …   Wikipedia

  • elastic — [ē las′tik, ilas′tik] adj. [ModL elasticus < LGr elastikos < Gr elaunein, to set in motion, beat out < IE base * el , to drive, move, go > ? LANE1] 1. able to spring back to its original size, shape, or position after being stretched …   English World dictionary

  • elastic — UK US /ɪˈlæstɪk/ adjective ► ECONOMICS relating to a situation in which the number of products sold changes in relation to the product s price: »We re seeing the elastic effect of lower component prices encouraging demand for PCs. »Your problem… …   Financial and business terms

  • Elastic — E*las tic, n. An elastic woven fabric, as a belt, braces or suspenders, etc., made in part of India rubber. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • elastic — [adj1] pliant, rubbery adaptable, bouncy, buoyant, ductile, extendible, extensible, flexible, irrepressible, limber, lithe, malleable, moldable, plastic, pliable, resilient, rubberlike, springy, stretchable, stretchy, supple, tempered, yielding;… …   New thesaurus

  • elastic — index flexible, malleable, pliable, pliant, resilient, sequacious, tractable, volatile, yielding …   Law dictionary

  • elastic — (adj.) 1650s, coined in French (1650s) as a scientific term to describe gases, from Mod.L. elasticus, from Gk. elastos ductile, flexible, related to elaunein to strike, beat out, of uncertain origin. Applied to solids from 1670s. Figurative use… …   Etymology dictionary

  • elastic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) able to resume normal shape spontaneously after being stretched or squeezed. 2) flexible and adaptable. ► NOUN ▪ cord, tape, or fabric which returns to its original length or shape after being stretched. DERIVATIVES elastically… …   English terms dictionary

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