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elastic

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8 dictionary results for: Elastic

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

e·las·tic

[i-las-tik] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

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.

–noun

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.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

e·las·tic (ĭ-lās'tĭk) Pronunciation Key
adj.

1. Easily resuming original shape after being stretched or expanded; flexible. See Synonyms at flexible.
2. Springy; rebounding.
Physics Returning to or capable of returning to an initial form or state after deformation.
Quick to recover, as from disappointment: an elastic spirit.
Capable of adapting to change or a variety of circumstances.

1. A flexible stretchable fabric made with interwoven strands of rubber or an imitative synthetic fiber.
2. An object made of this fabric.
A rubber band.

[New Latin elasticus, from Late Greek elastos, beaten, ductile, variant of Greek elatos, from elaunein, to beat out.]

e·las'ti·cal·ly adv.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.

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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

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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

elastic e·las·tic (ĭ-lās'tĭk)
adj.
Having the property of returning to the original shape after being distorted.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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Wallstreet Words - Cite This Source - Share This

elastic

Of or relating to the demand for a good or service when the quantity purchased varies significantly in response to price changes in the good or service. For example, the demand for a product with many close substitutes is elastic because a small price rise will cause consumers to switch to competing brands. Compare inelastic.

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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.

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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.]

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