inelastic
UK[ˌɪnɪˈlastɪk]US[ˌɪnəˈlæstɪk]
adj
(of a substance or material) not able to resume its normal shape spontaneously after being stretched or deformed.
adj
(Economics) (of demand or supply) not sensitive to changes in price or income.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
elastic
in
not
elastic
able to stretch and return to shape
Etymology
The word 'inelastic' is a modern scientific and economic term formed by directly applying the Latin negative prefix 'in-' to the existing English adjective 'elastic'. 'Elastic' itself entered English in the 17th century from modern Latin elasticus, which was coined from the Greek verb elaunein meaning "to drive, beat out". The original Greek sense evolved from the idea of something being "beaten out" or ductile into the modern concept of a material that can be stretched and rebound. Therefore, 'inelastic' logically constructs its meaning as the direct opposite: describing something that lacks this property of stretch and recovery, whether in a physical or economic context.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + elastic
- in: A Latin prefix meaning "not" or "without". It functions as a negative particle.
- elastic: From Greek elastos (ductile, beaten), via Latin and modern scientific Latin elasticus. It functions as the root word meaning "able to stretch and return to shape".
Examples
The collision was considered perfectly inelastic, with the two objects sticking together upon impact.
Demand for basic necessities like water and electricity is often relatively inelastic.
The old rubber band had become brittle and inelastic, snapping easily.