malleable

views updated May 18 2018

mal·le·a·ble / ˈmalyəbəl; ˈmalēə-/ • adj. (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking. ∎ fig. easily influenced; pliable: Anna was shaken enough to be malleable.DERIVATIVES: mal·le·a·bil·i·ty / ˌmalyəˈbilitē; ˌmalēə-/ n.mal·le·a·bly / -blē/ adv.

malleable

views updated May 23 2018

malleable that may be hammered without breaking. XIV. — OF. — medL. malleābilis, f. L. malleāre hammer, f. malleus; see MAUL, -ABLE.

malleability

views updated Jun 27 2018

malleability Property of metals (or other substances) that can be permanently shaped by hammering or rolling without breaking. In some cases it is increased by raising temperature.