elastic

American  

[ih-las-tik] / ɪˈlæs tɪk /

adjective

1. capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded.

   an elastic waistband; elastic fiber.

2. spontaneously expansive, as gases.

3. flexible; accommodating; adaptable; tolerant.

   elastic rules and regulations.

   Synonyms:

   pliant, resilient

   Antonyms:

   unyielding, intolerant, inflexible, rigid

4. springing back or rebounding; springy.

   He walks with an elastic step.

5. readily recovering from depression or exhaustion; buoyant.

   an elastic temperament.

6. Economics. relatively responsive to change, as to a proportionate increase in demand as the result of a decrease in price.

7. Physics. of, relating to, or noting a body having the property of elasticity.

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noun

1. webbing, or material in the form of a band, made elastic, as with strips of rubber.

2. something made from this material, as a garter.

3. rubber band.

elastic British  

/ ɪˈlæstɪk /

adjective

1. (of a body or material) capable of returning to its original shape after compression, expansion, stretching, or other deformation

2. capable of adapting to change

   an elastic schedule

3. quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant

4. springy or resilient

   an elastic walk

5. (of gases) capable of expanding spontaneously

6. physics (of collisions) involving no overall change in translational kinetic energy

7. made of elastic

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noun

1. tape, cord, or fabric containing interwoven strands of flexible rubber or similar substance allowing it to stretch and return to its original shape

2. something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter

Other Word Forms

• elastically adverb
• nonelastic adjective
• nonelastically adverb
• semielastic adjective
• semielastically adverb
• superelastic adjective
• superelastically adverb
• unelastic adjective
• unelastically adverb

Etymology

Origin of elastic

1645–55; < New Latin elasticus expanding spontaneously, equivalent to Greek elast ( ós ) (late variant of elatós ductile, beaten (of metal), derivative of elaúnein, elân beat out, forge) + -icus -ic

Example Sentences

"Once an expansion or shrinkage exceeds the elastic limits, it will lead to the particle cracking."

From Science Daily

Those are elastic enough terms that it could cover at least half the population.

From Salon

There was an elastic strap to hold it closed that looked kind of cool.

From Literature

Death is an elastic concept in all forms of fiction, but TV and film have mightily tested the limits to which our belief can be stretched.

From Salon

Among the new nonnegotiables: fleece vests instead of jackets and elastic waistbands instead of “hard pants,” i.e., anything with a zipper.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• flexible
• malleable
• pliable
• resilient
• springy
• supple