plasticity

[ pla-stis-i-tee ]

noun

1. the quality or state of being plastic.
2. the capability of being molded, receiving shape, or being made to assume a desired form:

   the plasticity of social institutions; the great plasticity of clay.

plasticity

/ plæˈstɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being plastic or able to be moulded
2. (in pictorial art) the quality of depicting space and form so that they appear three-dimensional

Other Words From

• nonplas·tici·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of plasticity¹

First recorded in 1725–35; plastic + -ity

Example Sentences

The neural plasticity, or ability of the brain to change, that this protein stimulates has been shown to boost cognitive function, including learning and memory.

From Popular-Science

For many people, the brain can spontaneously recover its plasticity once the stress goes away.

From MIT Technology Review

Some researchers think that these drugs also enhance plasticity in the brain and, when paired with psychotherapy, can be a powerful treatment.

From MIT Technology Review

Neuroscientists suspect that this behavior, known as spike timing dependent plasticity, is the fundamental axiom that neural networks use to code for causality.

From Nautilus

This state is critical to our ability to learn and memorize, as well as for plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt to something strange and new.

From Singularity Hub 

Second is a book on brain plasticity—that is, how the brain constantly reconfigures its own circuitry.

From The Daily Beast

This John is sickly and sallow, his body lacking plasticity.

From The Daily Beast

It may express itself in the masses as mere plasticity and softness of spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

This is what is called plasticity, the power of changing shape without disintegration.

From Project Gutenberg

For the great advantage, it seems to me, that America possesses over the Old World is its material and moral plasticity.

From Project Gutenberg

X-ray-diffraction studies showed no material differences, nor were there detectable differences in “feel”, smell, or plasticity.

From Project Gutenberg

Its perfect plasticity allows it to be rolled into sheets, drawn into tubes, or moulded into any desired shape.

From Project Gutenberg