ductile

adjective duc·tile \ ˈdək-tᵊl , -ˌtī(-ə)l \

Definition of ductile

1 of a metal :capable of being drawn out (see ¹draw 15) into wire or thread

ductile iron

2 :easily led or influenced

a vast portion of the public feels rather than thinks, a ductile multitude drawn easily by the arts of the demagogue
—Amy Loveman

3 :capable of being fashioned into a new form

—

ductility

play \ˌdək-ˈti-lə-tē\ noun

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Recent Examples of ductile from the Web

Obsolete cast iron and asbestos cement lines are now replaced with more durable ductile iron or plastic.

— Washington Post, "Huge sinkholes are now appearing in the wrong places," 8 May 2017
The utility crew — the public-works heirs of the men who installed the wooden water mains during the James Madison administration — was replacing the old cast piping with what’s known as a ductile iron main.

— steve hendrix, Washington Post, "Discovered: Philadelphia’s high-tech, totally natural plumbing of 1812," 6 May 2017
The problem isn’t unique to Apple; all stainless steel watches scratch because metals are ductile—

— liz stinson, WIRED, "Here’s What You Need to Know About Ceramic, The Fancy Material in Apple’s Fanciest Watch," 8 Sep. 2016
Even as Mr. Shults goes light on the exposition, the characters — with their rapid gestures, cacophonous movements and ductile faces — express a great deal.

— manohla dargis, New York Times, "Review: ‘Krisha,’ a Family Drama Set Around Thanksgiving," 17 Mar. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ductile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ductile

Middle English ductil, from Latin ductilis, from ducere — see ¹duct

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First Known Use: 14th century

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Synonym Discussion of ductile

plastic, pliable, pliant, ductile, malleable, adaptable mean susceptible of being modified in form or nature. plastic applies to substances soft enough to be molded yet capable of hardening into the desired fixed form.

- plastic materials allow the sculptor greater freedom

pliable suggests something easily bent, folded, twisted, or manipulated.

- pliable rubber tubing

pliant may stress flexibility and sometimes connote springiness.

- an athletic shoe with a pliant sole

ductile applies to what can be drawn out or extended with ease.

- ductile metals such as copper

malleable applies to what may be pressed or beaten into shape.

- the malleable properties of gold

adaptable implies the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses.

- computer hardware that is adaptable

Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms

assay, bloom, bullion, ingot, malleable, patina, plate, temper, tensile

DUCTILE Defined for English Language Learners

ductile

adjective

Definition of ductile for English Language Learners

of a metal : capable of being bent or pulled into different shapes

Medical Dictionary

ductile

adjective duc·tile \ ˈdək-tᵊl , -ˌtīl \

medical Definition of ductile

:capable of being drawn out or hammered thin

ductile metal

—

ductility

play \ˌdək-ˈtil-ət-ē\ noun plural ducties

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ductile

Definition of ductile

ductility

Recent Examples of ductile from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ductile

Synonym Discussion of ductile

Other Metals and Metallurgy Terms

DUCTILE Defined for English Language Learners

ductile

Definition of ductile for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

ductile

medical Definition of ductile

ductility

Learn More about ductile

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ductile

Definition of ductile

ductility

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Origin and Etymology of ductile

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DUCTILE Defined for English Language Learners

ductile

Definition of ductile for English Language Learners

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ductile

medical Definition of ductile

ductility

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