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Glite Dictionary
inelastic

inelastic

2 6.6
Not able to return to its original shape after being stretched or pressed
  • adjective
  • /ˌɪnɪˈlæstɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : inelástico
  • Fort (2004) debated that inelastic ticket pricing is likely a result of profit maximization.
  • inelastic scattering
  • inelastic scattering
  • inelastic demand

This principle applies to both elastic fluids and inelastic fluids, to gases and to liquids.

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Examples

  • The estimates from the current study show mostly inelastic values except for cement, with -0.57 showing relatively moderate elasticity.

    Academic text (1999)

  • The rubber band became inelastic after being stretched too many times and could no longer return to its original shape.

  • So you can see that with many goods, the most efficient way to raise tax revenue is to tax inelastic goods more.

  • Now what's the most price inelastic food?

  • The pressure was being felt of increasing numbers of people on relatively inelastic resources forcing up prices.

  • So what market actors tend to favor is the money that has the most inelastic supply.

  • As markets get more inelastic, monopolists make more money.

  • Thus, as shown in Figure 4, the market saw a vertical, completely price-inelastic demand curve.

    Academic text (2001)

  • But the arithmetic of relatively inelastic demand (again, in the short run) was discouraging.

    Academic text (2003)

  • At higher prices, the curve is somewhat inelastic, reflecting mainly residential, commercial, and non-switchable industrial gas demands.

    Academic text (1990)

Antonyms

flexible
31 3.4

Able to bend easily without breaking and return to shape

elastic
23 2.6

Able to return to its original shape after being stretched or pressed

Compounds

inelastic supply
  • Specialized
7.5

Price changes cause little or no change in the amount produced

perfectly inelastic demand
  • Specialized
7.5

The amount people buy stays the same when price changes

How Elastic

elastic
23 2.6
flexible
31 3.4
inelastic
  • Specialized
2 6.6
rigid
35 4.0
brittle
31 3.9

Surface Forms

inelastic positive

Morphology

inelastic = elastic (transparent) = in + elastic

This is a straightforward negative adjective formed from 'elastic', meaning simply 'not elastic'.

Etymology

The word inelastic comes from the parts in- meaning 'not' and elastic meaning 'able to stretch', like a rubber band. So inelastic means 'not stretchy' — something that does not return to its original shape, and it is also used for situations, like some collisions or demand, that do not change much.