elasticity

elas·tic·i·ty

noun \i-ˌlas-ˈti-sə-tē, ˌē-ˌlas-, -ˈtis-tē\

plural elas·tic·i·ties

Definition of ELASTICITY

1

: the quality or state of being elastic: as

a : the capability of a strained body to recover its size and shape after deformation : springiness

b : resilience 2

c : the quality of being adaptable

2

: the responsiveness of a dependent economic variable to changes in influencing factors <elasticity of demand> <price elasticity>

First Known Use of ELASTICITY

1664

Rhymes with ELASTICITY

authenticity, catholicity, domesticity, eccentricity, electricity, historicity, multiplicity, specificity, synchronicity

elas·tic·i·ty

noun \i-ˌlas-ˈtis-ət-ē, ˌē-ˌlas-, -ˈtis-tē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural elas·tic·i·ties

Medical Definition of ELASTICITY

: the quality or state of being elastic

elasticity

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Ability of a deformed material body to return to its original shape and size when the forces causing deformation are removed. Most solids show some elastic behaviour, but there is usually a limit—the material's “elastic limit”—to the force from which recovery is possible. Stresses beyond its elastic limit cause the material to yield, or flow, and the result is permanent deformation or breakage. The limit depends on the material's internal structure; for example, steel, though strong, has a low elastic limit and can be extended only about 1% of its length, whereas rubber can be elastically extended up to about 1,000%. Robert Hooke, one of the first to study elasticity, developed a mathematical relation between tension and extension.