elastic limit

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the greatest stress that can be applied to an elastic body without causing permanent deformation.

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elastic limit British  

noun

1. the greatest stress that can be applied to a material without causing permanent deformation

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elastic limit Scientific  

1. The stress point at which a material, if subjected to higher stress, will no longer return to its original shape. Brittle materials tend to break at or shortly past their elastic limit, while ductile materials deform at stress levels beyond their elastic limit.

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Etymology

Origin of elastic limit

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The music stretches the Pixies/Nirvana quiet-loud dynamic to its elastic limit and the song is half over before the cathartic explosion comes.

From The Guardian • Oct. 11, 2019

Then you have to express even deeper humility to be chosen among a shortlist of such startling quality, and stretch the patience of your audience to its elastic limit with a string of thankyous.

From The Guardian • Mar. 1, 2013

When the loops part too far from each other and the steel reaches its elastic limit, the clip breaks.

From Slate • May 22, 2012

Admittedly, she comes from what you might call a showbiz family, were you willing to stretch the definition of the word showbiz to its elastic limit.

From The Guardian • Jun. 16, 2010

Within the elastic limit of the metal you may assume the compression to be a spring.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua