Emily Dickinson Lexicon

E-LAS'TIC, or E-LAS'TIC-AL, a. [from the Gr. ελαστρεω, to impel, or ελαω, or ελαυνω, to drive; Fr. elastique; It. and Sp. elastico.]

Springing back; having the power of returning to the form from which it is bent, extended, pressed, or distorted; having the inherent property of recovering its former figure, after any external pressure, which has altered that figure, is removed; rebounding; flying back. Thus, a bow is elastic, and when the force which bends it is removed, it instantly returns to its former shape. The air is elastic; vapors are elastic; and when the force compressing them is removed, they instantly expand or dilate, and recover their former state.