malleability

Sometimes mal·le·a·ble·ness

[mal-ee-uh-bil-i-tee]

noun

1. the state of being malleable, or capable of being shaped, as by hammering or pressing.

   the extreme malleability of gold.

2. adaptability.

   the malleability of an infant's brain.

Other Word Forms

• nonmalleability noun
• nonmalleableness noun
• unmalleability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of malleability¹

First recorded in 1640–50; malle(able) ( def. ) + -ability ( def. )

Example Sentences

Economic insecurity breeds malleability, and an increased willingness to seek out the protection of a strongman.

From Salon

However, this suggests more about the relative malleability of our persona at the age of 20, when we’re still figuring out who we are and often look to movies for inspiration.

From Salon

In the age of social media, its malleability makes it highly Instagrammable.

From Salon

"It is a cheap labour force, easy to replace. Because of their malleability, they are often assigned acts of terror such as dismemberment," Mr Yuri said.

From BBC

However, the fact that his private investigator has been portrayed more than 254 times in movies and TV speaks to the endless malleability of a literary character that’s more than a century old.

From Salon