elastic
adjectivenounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ɪˈlɑːstɪk//
- United States//ə-//
- //ɪˈlæstɪk//
- //i-//
Capable of stretching; particularly, capable of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when force is released.
adjective
- 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.
In trumpets for assisting the hearing, all reverbation of the trumpet must be avoided. It must be made thick, of the least elastic materials, and covered with cloth externally. For all reverbation lasts for a short time, and produces new sounds which mix with those which are coming in.
- 2
Made of elastic.
elastic band
- 3
Of clothing, elasticated.
- 4
Sensitive to changes in price.
Demand for entertainment is more elastic than demand for energy.
- 5
springy; bouncy; vivacious
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
Pervasive, all-encompassing.
It was now about six o'clock, and that first freshness was on the air, which is to the day what youth is to life,—so light, so elastic, so sweet, and so brief:...
- 7
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
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁elh₂- Proto-Indo-European *h₁l̥h₂-tósder. Ancient Greek ἐλᾰστός (elăstós) Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus New Latin elasticusbor. French élastiquebor. English elastic From French élastique, from New Latin elasticus (“elastic”), from Ancient Greek ἐλαστός (elastós), alternative form of ἐλατός (elatós, “ductile”) (cf. ἐλατήρ (elatḗr, “a driver, hurler”)), from ἐλαύνω (elaúnō, “to drive, set in motion, push, strike, beat out”).
noun
- 1
An elastic material used in clothing, particularly in waistbands and cuffs.
running shorts use elastic to eliminate the need for a belt
- 2
An elastic band.
- 3
Specifically, a hair tie.
Forms
- plural
- elastics
- comparative
- more elastic
- superlative
- most elastic
elastic · Capable of stretching; particularly, capable of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when force is released.
elbow · The joint between the upper arm and the forearm.elder · Closer to the dealer, i.e. receiving cards earlier than…Elder · A surname.