adj. 1. a. Easily resuming original size or shape after being stretched or otherwise deformed; flexible. See Synonyms at flexible. b. Relating to a collision in which the total kinetic energy is conserved. 2. Quick to recover, as from disappointment; resilient: an elastic spirit. 3. Capable of being adapted to change or a variety of circumstances: "To say that morale is a highly unscientific and quite elastic concept would be an understatement" (Roger J. Spiller). 4. Economics Of, relating to, or being a good for which changes in price have a large effect on the quantity demanded or supplied. n. 1. a. A flexible stretchable fabric made with interwoven strands of rubber or an imitative synthetic fiber. b. An object made of this fabric. 2. A rubber band. [New Latin elasticus, from Late Greek elastos, beaten, ductile, variant of Greek elatos, from elaunein, to beat out.] e·lasti·cal·ly adv. |
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