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deformable

deformable

1 5.3
Able to be bent or shaped without breaking
  • adjective
  • /dɪˈfɔrməbl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : deformable
  • The first optical element (usually a mirror, but shown here as a lens) reimages the primary mirror onto the deformable mirror.
  • deformable mirror
  • deformable bodies
  • deformable and rigid

Examples

  • Larger telescopes, however, require a full AO system with a deformable mirror and wavefront reconstructor to restore their full resolution.

    Academic text (2000)
  • L4D is adding many, many new character models, many of which are deformable in new and interesting ways.

    Blog text (11)
  • Multiconjugate adaptive optics uses multiple deformable mirrors to compensate for the turbulence from different layers of the atmosphere.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Modern adaptive optics systems employ deformable mirrors; most commonly, these are thin glass mirrors supported on an array of piezoelectric actuators.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The designer used a deformable material that can easily take shape according to the user's preferences.

  • Engineers are experimenting with deformable structures that can adapt to different environmental conditions.

  • The children played with deformable toys that could stretch and bend without breaking.

Synonyms

flexible
vsdeformable
31 3.4

Able to bend easily without breaking and return to shape

focuses on being changed in shape, not necessarily returning afterward
pliable
vsdeformable
8 4.2

Easy to bend or shape

means change of shape specifically rather than general adaptability
malleable
vsdeformable
  • Specialized
3 6.0

A material you can shape and bend without breaking, like gold or clay

emphasizes shape change broadly rather than metalworking actions
pliant
vsdeformable
3 5.6

Easily bent or shaped without breaking

is a broader idea of shape change rather than ready molding
bendy
vsdeformable
2 2.5

Easy to move into new shapes

covers any change of shape, not just a soft or loose kind
bendable
vsdeformable
1 3.0

Can curve without breaking

is about change of shape in general, not only simple bending
moldable
vsdeformable
  • US
1 4.1

You can shape materials like clay when they are soft

is broader, meaning any change in shape, not just pressing when soft
flexile
vsdeformable
8.1

Easy to bend without breaking, like a thin branch

is about overall ability to change shape, not only flexing
twistable
vsdeformable
3.4

Can bend or turn without breaking

refers to changing shape more generally, not only by twisting
formable
vsdeformable
4.4

Can be shaped or molded into a new form

is the more general ability to change shape, not only forming

Antonyms

35 4.0

Does not bend because it is stiff

How Deformable

malleable
  • Specialized
3 6.0
deformable
  • Specialized
1 5.3
flexible
31 3.4
rigid
35 4.0

Surface Forms

deformable positive

Morphology

deformable = deform (semi-transparent) = de + form + able

For learners who know the verb 'deform', adding '-able' gives the straightforward meaning 'able to be deformed'.

Etymology

Deformable breaks into de- 'change', form 'shape', and -able 'can be'. So a deformable object is one that 'can have its shape changed', which is why it can bend or be pressed into a new form without breaking.