inelastic

[ in-i-las-tik ]

adjective

1. not elastic; lacking flexibility or resilience; unyielding.

   Synonyms: uncompromising, rigid, inflexible

2. Economics. relatively unresponsive to changes, as demand when it fails to increase in proportion to a decrease in price. Compare elastic ( def 6 ).

inelastic

/ ˌɪnɪlæsˈtɪsɪtɪ; ˌɪnɪˈlæstɪk /

adjective

1. not elastic; not resilient
2. physics (of collisions) involving an overall decrease in translational kinetic energy

Derived Forms

• inelasticity, noun
• ineˈlastically, adverb

Other Words From

• in·e·las·tic·i·ty [in-i-la-, stis, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inelastic¹

First recorded in 1740–50; in- ³ + elastic

Example Sentences

In fact, our working paper suggests that prison demand is not only inelastic but drives incarceration, not the other way around.

From Slate

Further verification of this discovery came through 'polarization-resolved resonant inelastic x-ray scattering', where the magnetic excitations were revealed to significantly deviate from the behaviors anticipated for those in conventional magnets.

From Science Daily

For the completion of these experiments, the researchers in South Korea have collaborated with Argonne National Laboratory in the US to construct a resonant inelastic x-ray scattering beamline in Pohang Accelerator Laboratory over the last four years.

From Science Daily

"In our latest study, we examine the potential effects that a dark photon could have on the complete set of experimental results from the deep inelastic scattering process," said Professor Thomas.

From Science Daily

Trump doesn't look like a loser, because voting in the US is almost completely inelastic: there are very few "true" swing voters.

From Salon