elastic

[ih-las-tik]

adjective

capable of returning to its original length, shape, etc., after being stretched, deformed, compressed, or expanded: an elastic waistband; elastic fiber.

spontaneously expansive, as gases.

flexible; accommodating; adaptable; tolerant: elastic rules and regulations.

springing back or rebounding; springy: He walks with an elastic step.

readily recovering from depression or exhaustion; buoyant: an elastic temperament.

Economics. relatively responsive to change, as to a proportionate increase in demand as the result of a decrease in price.Compare inelastic(def 2).

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

noun

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

something made from this material, as a garter.

rubber band.

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

SYNONYMS FOR elastic

3. resilient, pliant.

ANTONYMS FOR elastic

3. rigid, inflexible, intolerant, unyielding.

Related forms

e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·e·las·tic, adjectivenon·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbsem·i·e·las·tic, adjective

sem·i·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbsu·per·e·las·tic, adjectivesu·per·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverbun·e·las·tic, adjectiveun·e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for elastically

The elastically talented Amy Poehler will likely surprise us one day by winning serious acclaim.
The Stars Predict Your Week|Starsky + Cox|September 10, 2011|DAILY BEAST
With all these movements is connected the power of elastically contracting and relaxing the muscles.
How to Sing|Lilli Lehmann
It looks as if the whole face were elastically drawn toward its center.
The Photoplay|Hugo Mnsterberg
Since brick does not elastically vibrate to such infinitesimal impulses as electric waves, ether must.
Among the Forces|Henry White Warren

Their bodies are elastically supple, with free sway from the hips and a mercurial poise upon the ankle.
New Italian sketches|John Addington Symonds
It might have been these, elastically yielding, that had saved the lifeboat from total ruin.
West Of The Sun|Edgar Pangborn

British Dictionary definitions for elastically

elastic

adjective

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

capable of adapting to changean elastic schedule

quick to recover from fatigue, dejection, etc; buoyant

springy or resilientan elastic walk

(of gases) capable of expanding spontaneously

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

made of elastic

noun

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

mainly US and Canadian something made of elastic, such as a rubber band or a garter

Derived Formselastically, adverb

Word Origin for elastic

C17: from New Latin elasticus impulsive, from Greek elastikos, from elaunein to beat, drive

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for elastically

elastic

adj.

1650s, coined in French (1650s) as a scientific term to describe gases, from Modern Latin elasticus, from Greek elastos "ductile, flexible," related to elaunein "to strike, beat out," of uncertain origin. Applied to solids from 1670s. Figurative use by 1859. The noun, "cord or string woven with rubber," is 1847, American English.

Medicine definitions for elastically

elastic

[ĭ-lăs′tĭk]

adj.

Having the property of returning to the original shape after being distorted.

elastic

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of elastic

Examples from the Web for elastically

elastic

adjective

noun

Word Origin for elastic

elastic

elastic

adj.