ELASTICITY

elasticity. Elasticity, Elasticness, n. a spring in bodies, a power

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E′las‐tic″i‐ty (ē′lăs‐tĭs″ĭ‐ty̆), n. [[Cf. F. élasticité.]] 1. 1. The quality of being elastic; the inherent property in bodies by which they recover their former figure or dimensions, after the removal of external pressure or altering force; springiness; tendency to rebound; as, the elasticity of caoutchouc; the elasticity of the air.
2. 2. Power of resistance to, or recovery from, depression or overwork.
Coefficient of elasticity, the quotient of a stress (of a given kind), by the strain (of a given kind) which it produces; — called also coefficient of resistance. — Surface of elasticity (Geom.), the pedal surface of an ellipsoid (see Pedal); a surface used in explaining the phenomena of double refraction and their relation to the elastic force of the luminous ether in crystalline media.