1748, "not rebounding after a strain," from in- (1) "not, opposite of" + elastic (adj.). Figurative sense "rigid, unyielding" attested by 1867. Related: Inelasticity.

The tenacity of certain minerals that when put under stress will bend, but will return to their original positions when the stress is released.

In general, if changes in variable A cause changes in variable B, then the relative change in B is less than the relative change in A. In other words, large changes in variable A cause relatively smal [..]

Elasticity less than one. For price elasticity of demand, it means expenditure falls as price falls. For income elasticity it means expenditure share falls as income rises. Contrasts with elastic and [..]

Materials that are unable to return to their original shape after they have been deformed .

(adj) not elastic

Applications do not adjust their demands based on feedback about available network bandwidth, they run "Open Loop". They are best matched to CBR and VBR service categorie [..]

Not surprisingly, the opposite of elastic. A deformation of a structure or material under load is described as inelastic when the deformation remains after the load is removed. The term plastic is often used with the same meaning.