elasticity

American  

[ih-la-stis-i-tee, ee-la-stis-] / ɪ læˈstɪs ɪ ti, ˌi læˈstɪs- /

noun

1. the state or quality of being elastic.

2. flexibility; resilience; adaptability.

   a statement with a great elasticity of meaning.

3. ability to resist or overcome depression; buoyancy.

4. Physics. the property of a substance that enables it to change its length, volume, or shape in direct response to a force effecting such a change and to recover its original form upon the removal of the force.

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elasticity Scientific  

/ ĭ-lă-stĭs′ĭ-tē /

1. The ability of a solid to return to its original shape or form after being subject to strain. Most solid materials display elasticity, up to a load point called the elastic limit; loads higher than this limit cause permanent deformation of the material.

2. See also Hooke's law

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elasticity ¹ Cultural  

1. The property of a material that allows it to return to its original shape after having been deformed and to exert a force while deformed. (See stress.)

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elasticity ² Cultural  

1. A shift in either demand or supply of a good or service depending on its price. Demand is said to be elastic when it responds quickly to changes in prices, and inelastic when it responds sluggishly.

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Other Word Forms

• nonelasticity noun
• unelasticity noun

Etymology

Origin of elasticity

First recorded in 1655–65; elastic + -ity

Example Sentences

But it takes great elasticity of imagination to see these places as Indian in any organic sense.

From The Wall Street Journal

But there’s something about looking at a Jacob Lawrence painting that offers me the biggest inspiration in terms of the dexterity and freedom and elasticity of Black bodies in space.

From Los Angeles Times

“My judgment of the volumes and elasticities is a bit higher than this.”

From The Wall Street Journal

This elasticity makes it possible for cracks and channels to form.

From Science Daily

Well, it's happened - and the gooey elasticity is key, according to a viral TikTok challenge promoting the serum.

From BBC

Related Words

• adaptability
• flexibility
• resilience