elastic

elastic
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, squeezed, flexed, expanded, etc.; flexible; springy
2. able to recover easily from dejection, fatigue, etc.; buoyant [an elastic temperament]
3. readily changed or changing to suit circumstances; adaptable [elastic regulations]
4. Econ. responding to changes in price: said of the demand for, or supply of, particular goods or services
n.
1. an elastic fabric made flexible by strands of rubber or a rubberlike synthetic running through it
2. a band, garter, etc. of this material
3. a rubber band
elastically
adv.
SYN.- ELASTIC implies ability to return without permanent injury to the original size or shape after being stretched, expanded, etc. [an elastic garter ]; RESILIENT implies ability to spring back quickly into shape after being deformed, esp. by compression [a healthy, resilient skin ]; FLEXIBLE refers to anything that can be bent without breaking, whether or not it returns to its original form [a flexible wire ]; SUPPLE is applied to that which is easily bent, twisted, or folded without breaking, cracking, etc. [kidskin is supple] -ANT. RIGID, STIFF

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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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 — 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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