Adjacent Words

Elastic definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

ELAS'TIC
ELAS'TICAL, a. [from the Gr. to impel, to drive.] Springing back; having the power of returning to the form from which it is bent, extended, pressed or distorted; having the inherent property of recovering its former figure, after any external pressure, which has altered that figure, is removed; rebounding; flying back. Thus a bow is elastic, and when the force which bends it is removed, it instantly returns to its former shape. The air is elastic; vapors are elastic; and when the force compressing them is removed, they instantly expand or dilate, and recover their former state.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy; "an elastic band"; "a youthful and elastic walk" [ant: inelastic]
2: able to adjust readily to different conditions; "an adaptable person"; "a flexible personality"; "an elastic clause in a contract" [syn: elastic, flexible, pliable, pliant] n
1: a narrow band of elastic rubber used to hold things (such as papers) together [syn: rubber band, elastic band, elastic]
2: a fabric made of yarns containing an elastic material

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective Etymology: New Latin elasticus, from Late Greek elastos ductile, beaten, from Greek elaunein to drive, beat out; probably akin to Greek ?lythe 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

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adj. & n. --adj. 1 able to resume its normal bulk or shape spontaneously after contraction, dilatation, or distortion. 2 springy. 3 (of a person or feelings) buoyant. 4 flexible, adaptable (elastic conscience). 5 Econ. (of demand) variable according to price. 6 Physics (of a collision) involving no decrease of kinetic energy. --n. elastic cord or fabric, usu. woven with strips of rubber. Phrases and idioms: elastic band = rubber band (see RUBBER(1)). Derivatives: elastically adv. elasticity n. elasticize v.tr. (also -ise). Etymology: mod.L elasticus f. Gk elastikos propulsive f. elauno drive

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Elastic E*las"tic, a. [Formed fr. Gr. ? 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 substance is bent, drawn, pressed, or twisted; springy; having the power of rebounding; as, a bow is elastic; the air is elastic; India rubber is elastic. Capable of being drawn out by force like a piece of elastic gum, and by its own elasticity returning, when the force is removed, to its former position. --Paley. 2. Able to return quickly to a former state or condition, after being depressed or overtaxed; having power to recover easily from shocks and trials; as, elastic spirits; an elastic constitution. Elastic bitumen. (Min.) See Elaterite. Elastic curve. (a) (Geom.) The curve made by a thin elastic rod fixed horizontally at one end and loaded at the other. (b) (Mech.) The figure assumed by the longitudinal axis of an originally straight bar under any system of bending forces. --Rankine. Elastic fluids, those which have the property of expanding in all directions on the removal of external pressure, as the air, steam, and other gases and vapors. Elastic limit (Mech.), the limit of distortion, by bending, stretching, etc., that a body can undergo and yet return to its original form when relieved from stress; also, the unit force or stress required to produce this distortion. Within the elastic limit the distortion is directly proportional to the stress producing it. Elastic tissue (Anat.), a variety of connective tissue consisting of a network of slender and very elastic fibers which are but slightly affected by acids or alkalies. Gum elastic, caoutchouc.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Elastic E*las"tic, n. An elastic woven fabric, as a belt, braces or suspenders, etc., made in part of India rubber. [Colloq.]

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

1. Elastic is a rubber material that stretches when you pull it and returns to its original size and shape when you let it go. Elastic is often used in clothes to make them fit tightly, for example round the waist. ...a piece of elastic. 2. Something that is elastic is able to stretch easily and then return to its original size and shape. Beat it until the dough is slightly elastic. ADJ 3. If ideas, plans, or policies are elastic, they are able to change to suit new circumstances or conditions as they occur. ...an elastic interpretation of the rules of boxing... If export and import demand is elastic, then the change in trade volumes will operate to remove the surplus. = flexible ADJ

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

a. 1. Springy, rebounding, resilient, recoiling. 2. Recuperative.

Moby Thesaurus

Lastex, accommodating, adaptable, adaptive, adjustable, airy, animated, baleen, battledore, bendable, bending, bouncy, buoyant, chewing gum, compliant, compressible, contractile, convalescent, dilatant, distensive, ductile, ebullient, effervescent, elastomer, expandable, expansible, expansile, expansional, expansive, extensible, extensile, extensional, extensive, fabricable, facile, fictile, flexible, flexile, flexuous, formable, formative, gay, giving, gum, gum elastic, handball, high-spirited, impressible, impressionable, inflatable, inflationary, jumping jack, like putty, limber, lissome, lithe, lithesome, lively, malleable, mettlesome, moldable, plastic, pliable, pliant, racket, receptive, recuperative, recuperatory, resilient, responsive, reviviscent, rubber, rubber ball, rubber band, rubberlike, rubbery, sensitive, sequacious, shapable, soaring, spandex, spirited, sprightly, spring, springboard, springy, stretch, stretch fabric, stretchable, stretchy, submissive, supple, susceptible, tractable, tractile, trampoline, vivacious, volatile, whalebone, whippy, willowy, yielding