3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Elastic  \E*las"tic\,  a.  [Formed  fr  Gr  ?  to  drive;  prob.  akin 
  to  L.  alacer  lively,  brisk,  and  E.  alacrity:  cf  F. 
  ['e]lastique.] 
  1.  Springing  back  having  a  power  or  inherent  property  of 
  returning  to  the  form  from  which  a  substance  is  bent, 
  drawn,  pressed,  or  twisted;  springy;  having  the  power  of 
  rebounding;  as  a  bow  is  elastic;  the  air  is  elastic; 
  India  rubber  is  elastic. 
 
  Capable  of  being  drawn  out  by  force  like  a  piece  of 
  elastic  gum,  and  by  its  own  elasticity  returning, 
  when  the  force  is  removed,  to  its  former  position. 
  --Paley. 
 
  2.  Able  to  return  quickly  to  a  former  state  or  condition, 
  after  being  depressed  or  overtaxed;  having  power  to 
  recover  easily  from  shocks  and  trials;  as  elastic 
  spirits;  an  elastic  constitution. 
 
  {Elastic  bitumen}.  (Min.)  See  {Elaterite}. 
 
  {Elastic  curve}. 
  a  (Geom.)  The  curve  made  by  a  thin  elastic  rod  fixed 
  horizontally  at  one  end  and  loaded  at  the  other 
  b  (Mech.)  The  figure  assumed  by  the  longitudinal  axis  of 
  an  originally  straight  bar  under  any  system  of  bending 
  forces.  --Rankine. 
 
  {Elastic  fluids},  those  which  have  the  property  of  expanding 
  in  all  directions  on  the  removal  of  external  pressure,  as 
  the  air,  steam,  and  other  gases  and  vapors. 
 
  {Elastic  limit}  (Mech.),  the  limit  of  distortion,  by  bending, 
  stretching,  etc.,  that  a  body  can  undergo  and  yet  return 
  to  its  original  form  when  relieved  from  stress;  also  the 
  unit  force  or  stress  required  to  produce  this  distortion. 
  Within  the  elastic  limit  the  distortion  is  directly 
  proportional  to  the  stress  producing  it 
 
  {Elastic  tissue}  (Anat.),  a  variety  of  connective  tissue 
  consisting  of  a  network  of  slender  and  very  elastic  fibers 
  which  are  but  slightly  affected  by  acids  or  alkalies. 
 
  {Gum  elastic},  caoutchouc. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Elastic  \E*las"tic\,  n. 
  An  elastic  woven  fabric,  as  a  belt,  braces  or  suspenders, 
  etc.,  made  in  part  of  India  rubber.  [Colloq.] 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  elastic 
  adj  1:  capable  of  resuming  original  shape  after  stretching  or 
  compression;  springy;  "an  elastic  band";  "a  youthful 
  and  elastic  walk"  [ant:  {inelastic}] 
  2:  able  to  adjust  readily  to  different  conditions;  "an 
  adaptable  person";  "a  flexible  personality";  "an  elastic 
  clause  in  a  contract"  [syn:  {flexible},  {pliable},  {pliant}] 
  n  1:  a  narrow  band  of  rubber  used  to  hold  things  (such  as  papers) 
  together  [syn:  {rubber  band}] 
  2:  an  elastic  fabric  made  of  yarns  containing  an  elastic 
  material 

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