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Webster 1913 Edition


Elastic

E-las′tic

(ē̍-lăs′tĭk)
,
Adj.
[Formed fr. Gr.
ἐλαύνειν
to drive; prob. akin to L.
alacer
lively, brisk, and E.
alacrity
: cf. F.
élastique
.]
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.

E-las′tic

,
Noun.
An elastic woven fabric, as a belt, braces or suspenders, etc., made in part of India rubber.
[Colloq.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Elastic

ELAS'TIC


Definition 2024


elastic

elastic

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

elastic (comparative more elastic, superlative most elastic)

  1. Capable of stretching; particularly, capable of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when force is released.
    The rope is somewhat elastic, so expect it to give when you pull on it.
  2. Made of elastic.
    elastic band
  3. Of clothing, elasticated.
  4. (economics) Sensitive to changes in price.
    Demand for entertainment is more elastic than demand for energy.
  5. springy; bouncy; vivacious
    • 1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, The House Behind the Cedars, Chapter I,
      He could see that she was tastefully, though not richly, dressed, and that she walked with an elastic step that revealed a light heart and the vigor of perfect health. Her face, of course, he could not analyze, since he had caught only the one brief but convincing glimpse of it.
  6. Able to return quickly to a former state or condition, after being depressed or overtaxed; having power to recover easily from shocks and trials.
    elastic spirits; an elastic constitution

Synonyms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

elastic (countable and uncountable, plural elastics)

  1. (uncountable) An elastic material used in clothing, particularly in waistbands and cuffs.
    Running shorts use elastic to eliminate the need for a belt.
  2. (countable) An elastic band.

Translations

Anagrams