Main Entry: mal·lea·ble

Pronunciation: \ˈma-lē-ə-bəl, ˈmal-yə-bəl, ˈma-lə-bəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English malliable, from Medieval Latin malleabilis, from malleare to hammer, from Latin malleus hammer — more at maul

Date: 14th century

1 : capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure of rollers
2 a : capable of being altered or controlled by outside forces or influences b : having a capacity for adaptive change

synonyms see plastic

— mal·lea·bil·i·ty \ˌma-lē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌmal-yə-, ˌma-lə-\ noun