elastic etymology

Etymology

The word "elastic" originates from the Greek word "elastikos," which means "propulsive" or "capable of driving."

Meaning

Elastic materials exhibit the property of elasticity, which refers to their ability to deform under stress and return to their original shape once the stress is released. This property is essential in various applications, including:

• Stretching: Elastic bands, ropes, and fabrics can be stretched without breaking.
• Vibration damping: Elastic materials can absorb vibrations, such as in car tires and engine mounts.
• Energy storage: Elastic materials can store energy when deformed and release it when released.

Origin

The word "elastic" was first used in English in the 16th century and initially applied to firearms. It later came to be used in various other contexts, including:

• 17th century: Used to describe flexible materials such as rubber and springs.
• 18th century: Applied to the theory of elasticity and the behavior of materials under stress.
• 19th century: Became widely used in engineering and other scientific fields.
• 20th century: Found applications in a vast array of industries, from clothing and textiles to automotive and aerospace.

Other Related Terms

• Elasticity: The property of materials that allows them to deform elastically under stress.
• Elastic limit: The stress level beyond which a material ceases to exhibit elastic behavior.
• Elastic modulus: A measure of the stiffness or resistance of a material to deformation.
• Elastic recovery: The ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed.

elastic relate terms

• elasmobranch

  Etymology Elasmo Greek from ἐλασμός elasmos metal plate referring to t

• elastic

  Etymology The word elastic originates from the Greek word elastikos which means pro

• elasmosaurus

  Etimology The name Elasmosaurus is derived from Greek and means plate lizard Meani

• elastic

  Etymology The word elastic originates from the Greek word elastikos which means pro

• flexible

  Etymology Latin flexibilis from flexus meaning bent curved Proto Indo Europea

• pliable

  Etymology Middle English pliable Old French pliable Latin plicare to fold Mean

• pliant

  Etymology Middle English pliant from Old French pliant present participle of plier

• cork

  Etymology The word cork derives from the Latin word cortex which means bark Mea

• girdle

  Etymology The word girdle comes from the Middle English word gurdil which is itself

• mattress

  Etymology of Mattress The word mattress originates from the Middle English materaz

• temper

  Etymology The word temper derives from the Latin word temperāre which means to mix

• band

  Etymology The word band comes from the Old English word bend which originally meant

• cloth

  Etymology The word cloth derives from the Old English word clāð which is believed

• plaint

  Etymology and Meaning The word plaint is derived from the Anglo French word pleinant