elasticity

[ ih-la-stis-i-tee, ee-la-stis- ]
/ ɪ læˈstɪs ɪ ti, ˌi læˈstɪs- /

noun

the state or quality of being elastic.
flexibility; resilience; adaptability: a statement with a great elasticity of meaning.
buoyancy; ability to resist or overcome depression.
Physics. the property of a substance that enables it to change its length, volume, or shape in direct response to a force effecting such a change and to recover its original form upon the removal of the force.

Origin of elasticity

First recorded in 1655–65; elastic + -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM elasticity

non·e·las·tic·i·ty, noun un·e·las·tic·i·ty, noun

Example sentences from the Web for elasticity

British Dictionary definitions for elasticity

elasticity
/ (ɪlæˈstɪsɪtɪ, ˌiːlæ-) /

noun

the property of a body or substance that enables it to resume its original shape or size when a distorting force is removed See also elastic limit
the state or quality of being elastic; flexibility or buoyancy
a measure of the sensitivity of demand for goods or services to changes in price or other marketing variables, such as advertising

Medical definitions for elasticity

elasticity
[ ĭ-lă-stĭsĭ-tē, ē′lă- ]

n.

The condition or property of being elastic; flexibility.
The property of returning to an initial form or state following deformation.

Scientific definitions for elasticity

elasticity
[ ĭ-lă-stĭsĭ-tē ]

The ability of a solid to return to its original shape or form after being subject to strain. Most solid materials display elasticity, up to a load point called the elastic limit; loads higher than this limit cause permanent deformation of the material. See also Hooke's law.

Cultural definitions for elasticity (1 of 2)

elasticity

A shift in either demand or supply of a good or service depending on its price. Demand is said to be elastic when it responds quickly to changes in prices, and inelastic when it responds sluggishly.

Cultural definitions for elasticity (2 of 2)

elasticity

The property of a material that allows it to return to its original shape after having been deformed and to exert a force while deformed. (See stress.)