viscoelastic

[ vis-koh-i-las-tik ]

adjective

, Physics.

1. pertaining to a substance having both viscous and elastic properties.

viscoelastic

/ ˌvɪskəʊɪˈlæstɪk /

adjective

1. physics (of a solid or liquid) exhibiting both viscous and elastic behaviour when deformed

Derived Forms

• ˌviscoelasˈticity, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of viscoelastic¹

First recorded in 1930–35; visc(ous) + -o- + elastic

Example Sentences

Studies on the shear behavior of viscoelastic fluids, created by introducing polymers into Newtonian fluids, have already been conducted in recent years.

From Science Daily

Until now, researchers have hypothesized that viscoelastic energy dissipation causes adhesion hysteresis in soft solids.

From Science Daily

Once inside, two things prevent a hasty escape: downward pointing hairs lining the inner pitcher wall, and a pool of liquid that is sometimes so viscoelastic it resembles quicksand.

From National Geographic

Finally, Torok and her colleagues went one step further, dissecting a series of cellular signals that promote liver cancer progression in viscoelastic conditions that includes a cancer-associated protein called YAP.

From Science Daily

Mucus, a viscoelastic fluid, behaves as both a liquid and solid.

From Science Daily