Elastic

Elastic
Elastic E*las"tic ([-e]*l[a^]s"t[i^]k), a. [Formed fr. Gr. 'elay`nein 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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

{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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • elastic — adj 1 Elastic, resilient, springy, flexible, supple are comparable when they mean able to endure strain (as extension, compression, twisting, or bending) without being permanently affected or injured. Elastic and resilient are both general and… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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  • Elastic — may refer to:*Elastic collision, a term describing collisions in which kinetic energy is conserved *Elastic deformations, a term describing reversible deformations of materials *Elastic, a colloquial noun for certain kinds of elastomers and… …   Wikipedia

  • elastic — [ē las′tik, ilas′tik] adj. [ModL elasticus < LGr elastikos < Gr elaunein, to set in motion, beat out < IE base * el , to drive, move, go > ? LANE1] 1. able to spring back to its original size, shape, or position after being stretched …   English World dictionary

  • elastic — UK US /ɪˈlæstɪk/ adjective ► ECONOMICS relating to a situation in which the number of products sold changes in relation to the product s price: »We re seeing the elastic effect of lower component prices encouraging demand for PCs. »Your problem… …   Financial and business terms

  • Elastic — E*las tic, n. An elastic woven fabric, as a belt, braces or suspenders, etc., made in part of India rubber. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • elastic — [adj1] pliant, rubbery adaptable, bouncy, buoyant, ductile, extendible, extensible, flexible, irrepressible, limber, lithe, malleable, moldable, plastic, pliable, resilient, rubberlike, springy, stretchable, stretchy, supple, tempered, yielding;… …   New thesaurus

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  • elastic — (adj.) 1650s, coined in French (1650s) as a scientific term to describe gases, from Mod.L. elasticus, from Gk. elastos ductile, flexible, related to elaunein to strike, beat out, of uncertain origin. Applied to solids from 1670s. Figurative use… …   Etymology dictionary

  • elastic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) able to resume normal shape spontaneously after being stretched or squeezed. 2) flexible and adaptable. ► NOUN ▪ cord, tape, or fabric which returns to its original length or shape after being stretched. DERIVATIVES elastically… …   English terms dictionary

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