a. and sb. [ad. mod.L. elasticus, a. Gr. ἐλαστικός that drives, propulsive, impulsive, f. ἐλα- stem of ἐλαύνειν to drive.
The L. word, together with the related ELATER, occurs, app. as a novelty, in Pecquet’s Dissertatio Anatomica (1651), where elastica virtus denotes the ‘impulsive force’ of the atmosphere, which the Torricellian experiment (1643), had shown to be the cause of the phenomena previously ascribed to ‘Nature’s horror of a vacuum.’]
A. adj.
† 1. Pertaining to or causing the ‘spontaneous’ expansion of air or gases; in phrase elastic force (virtue, faculty, power, etc.). Now merged in 3.
1653. trans. Pecquet’s Anatomical Exper., 122. The Spontaneous dilatation [of the air] enerveth the power of the Elastick (impulsive) faculty [Orig. 1651 virtutis Elasticæ] … But the other, which is extraneous to the Air, viz., from the accession of heat, will make it firm.
1656. H. More, Antid. Ath., II. ii. (1712), 45. There is an Elastick power in the Air.
1669. W. Simpson, Hydrol. Chym., 129. The air of the convex part must of necessity have a strong pressure or elastick force to return into the concave thereof.
† 2. Of air or gas: Possessing the property of spontaneous expansion. Now merged in 3.
The ultimate particles of air were by some supposed to act like a coiled spring; hence the word came to express the characteristic property of a spring, as in the early instances of sense 3.
1681. trans. Willis’ Rem. Med. Wks., Voc., Elastick, That goeth off with a force like Gunpowder, or spreads forcibly forth with a jerk.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 279. Wind is elastick and rarify’d [? air] pent up in some Vessel of the Body.
3. Of material substances, whether solid, liquid or gaseous: That spontaneously resumes (after a longer or shorter interval) its normal bulk or shape after having been contracted, dilated or distorted by external force. (In this sense ELASTICAL appears to be somewhat older.) Also of motions, forces, etc.: Characteristic of an elastic body. Elastic limit: (see quot. 1864.) Elastic fluids: still often used specifically for gases (cf. 2), though liquids are now known to be perfectly elastic according to the mod. definition.
‘Elasticity of shape’ belongs to solids only; ‘elasticity of bulk’ to bodies of all kinds. In the case of gases the ‘normal bulk’ to which they tend is indefinitely great. The strict modern use as applied to solids dates from James Bernouilli’s memoir of 1694; respecting the earlier instances see note to sense 2.
1674. Petty, Dupl. Proportion, 3. An Appendix, to what is said of Springs and other Elastique bodies.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., vii. 224. The Air is now certainly known to consist of elastick or springy Particles.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), II. 162. Every body that strikes against another produces a sound, which is simple, and but one in bodies which are not elastic.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, V. 117. At once he bent Against Tydides his elastic bow.
1794. Schmeisser, Min., I. 290. Elastic Bitumen … is of a brown color, has no lustre, and is very elastic.
1800. Vince, Hydrostat. (1806), Def. 1. An elastic fluid is one, whose dimensions are diminished by increasing the pressure.
1847. Emerson, Repr. Men, Montaigne, Wks. (Bohn), I. 340. We want some coat woven of elastic steel.
1864. Q. Jrnl. Sc., I. 63. The elastic limit, that is the extent to which their particles may be relatively displaced without fracture or other permanent alteration.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sc., I. i. 11. The atoms recoil, in virtue of the elastic force.
1872. Baker, Nile Tribut., xi. 197. The elastic boughs sprang back with dangerous force.
1884. Everett, trans. Deschanel’s Nat. Philos., 138. The name of elastic fluids is often given to gases.
b. transf. Of motion: Resembling that of an elastic body; springy.
1848. B’ness Bunsen, in Hare, Life (1879), II. iii. 116. Her light, elastic, continually lively motions.
c. fig. Of feelings, temperaments, etc., hence, also, of persons: Not permanently or easily depressed; buoyant.
1778. Han. More, Florio, II. 193. Th’ elastic spirits nimbly bound.
1816. in J. Scott, Vis. Paris (ed. 4), 3. An elastic spirit, anxious to overleap distance.
1822. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), I. 145. This elastic little urchin.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 429. A trifle now sufficed to depress those elastic spirits which had borne up against defeat, exile, and penury.
1870. E. Peacock, Ralf Skirl., III. 116. The elastic temperament of Mr. Skirlaugh required no stimulants to make him extremely joyous.
4. In popular language, esp.: That can be stretched without permanent alteration of size or shape. † Elastic gum [= Fr. gomme élastique]: india-rubber. Elastic web: cloth woven with india-rubber threads so as to stretch; Elastic boots: boots with elastic web at the sides.
1781. Cavallo, in Phil. Trans., LXXI. 519. Common vitriolic ether … could not affect elastic gum.
1793. Schmeisser, Ibid. LXXXIII. 165. I have … fixed the tube into the stopper by means of a thin piece of elastic gum.
1802. Henry, Ibid. XCIII. 31. A transfer bottle of elastic gum.
1856. R. Gardiner, Handbk. Foot, 48. The introduction of elastic-web for the sides of boots, is a very important improvement.
1859. Jephson, Brittany, i. 5. A pair of moderately strong French elastic boots.
b. fig. Of immaterial things: That can be ‘stretched’ or expanded to suit circumstances; flexible, accommodating.
1859. Bright, Sp. India, 1 Aug. The revenue of India is not elastic.
1864. Ld. Pollock, in Daily News, 12 Jan., 2/2. No calamity would be greater than to introduce a lax or elastic interpretation of a criminal statute to serve a special but a temporary purpose.
1866. Crump, Banking, viii. 164. Currency laws … will never make capital so elastic … any more than [etc.].
1874. Morley, Compromise (1886), 150. A certain elastic relativity of dogma.
1884. R. W. Church, Bacon, ix. 212. It is strange that he should not have seen that the new ideas and widening thoughts of which he was the herald would want a much more elastic and more freely-working instrument than Latin could ever become.
Mod. He seems to have a very elastic conscience.
c. Anat. Elastic tissue: one of the varieties of areolar or connective tissue.
1861. Hulme, trans. Moquin-Tandon, II. I. 41. Elastic tissue is composed of homogeneous fibres.
1876. Quain, Anat. (ed. 8), II. 67. Yellow or Elastic Tissue.
† 5. In etymological sense: Propulsive. Obs. (nonce-use).
1712. Blackmore, Creation, IV. By what elastic engines did she rear The starry roof, and roll the orbs in air?
B. sb. Elastic cord or string, usually woven with india-rubber.
1863. E. B., Drifting Clouds, 140. Adèle had been enquiring for a piece of elastic for her hat.
1886. W. Hooper, Sk. Academic Life, 13. The thorough-going prim man will always place a circle of elastic round his hair previous to putting on his college cap.
