Elastic
6 dictionary results for: Elastic
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
e·las·tic 
[i-las-tik] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[i-las-tik] Pronunciation Key –adjective
–noun
| 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. |
| 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. Compare inelastic (def. 2). |
| 7. | Physics. of, pertaining to, or noting a body having the property of elasticity. |
| 8. | webbing, or material in the form of a band, made elastic, as with strips of rubber. |
| 9. | something made from this material, as a garter. |
| 10. | rubber band. |
[Origin: 1645–55; < NL elasticus expanding spontaneously, equiv. to Gk elast(ós) (late var. of elatós ductile, beaten (of metal), deriv. of elaúnein, elân beat out, forge) + -icus -ic]
] —Related forms
e·las·ti·cal·ly, adverb
—Synonyms 3. resilient, pliant.
—Antonyms 3. rigid, inflexible, intolerant, unyielding.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| e·las·tic
(ĭ-lās'tĭk) Pronunciation Key
adj.
n.
[New Latin elasticus, from Late Greek elastos, beaten, ductile, variant of Greek elatos, from elaunein, to beat out.] e·las'ti·cal·ly adv. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
elastic (adj.)
elastic (adj.)
1653, coined in Fr. (1651) as a scientific term to describe gases, from Gk. elastos "ductile, flexible," related to elaunein "to strike, beat out," of uncertain origin. Applied to solids from 1674. The noun, "cord or string woven with rubber," is 1847, Amer.Eng.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| elastic | |
adjective | |
| 1. | capable of resuming original shape after stretching or compression; springy; "an elastic band"; "a youthful and elastic walk" [ant: inelastic] |
| 2. | able to adjust readily to different conditions; "an adaptable person"; "a flexible personality"; "an elastic clause in a contract" |
noun | |
| 1. | a narrow band of elastic rubber used to hold things (such as papers) together [syn: rubber band] |
| 2. | a fabric made of yarns containing an elastic material |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Elastic
E*las"tic\, a. [Formed fr. Gr. ? to drive; prob. akin to L. alacer lively, brisk, and E. alacrity: cf. F. ['e]lastique.]1. Springing back; having a power or inherent property of returning to the form from which a substance is bent, drawn, pressed, or twisted; springy; having the power of rebounding; as, a bow is elastic; the air is elastic; India rubber is elastic. Capable of being drawn out by force like a piece of elastic gum, and by its own elasticity returning, when the force is removed, to its former position. --Paley. 2. Able to return quickly to a former state or condition, after being depressed or overtaxed; having power to recover easily from shocks and trials; as, elastic spirits; an elastic constitution. Elastic bitumen. (Min.) See Elaterite. Elastic curve. (a) (Geom.) The curve made by a thin elastic rod fixed horizontally at one end and loaded at the other. (b) (Mech.) The figure assumed by the longitudinal axis of an originally straight bar under any system of bending forces. --Rankine. Elastic fluids, those which have the property of expanding in all directions on the removal of external pressure, as the air, steam, and other gases and vapors. Elastic limit (Mech.), the limit of distortion, by bending, stretching, etc., that a body can undergo and yet return to its original form when relieved from stress; also, the unit force or stress required to produce this distortion. Within the elastic limit the distortion is directly proportional to the stress producing it. Elastic tissue (Anat.), a variety of connective tissue consisting of a network of slender and very elastic fibers which are but slightly affected by acids or alkalies. Gum elastic, caoutchouc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Elastic
E*las"tic\, n. An elastic woven fabric, as a belt, braces or suspenders, etc., made in part of India rubber. [Colloq.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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