Elasmognatlms 
turn or prolongation of the mesethmoid bone 
prominent and perfectly ossified. E. bairdi, the 
type, Is a large Nicaragua!! species about 40 inches long 
and 22 high. E. domi is another Central American form. 
See cut under tapir. 
2. A genus of extinct chimseroid fishes, later 
(1888) called Elasmodectes. Egcrton. 
Elasmoidffi (el-as-moi'de), n. pi. [NL., < Elas- 
mus + -oidai.'] Same as Elasmince. Fdrster,l856. 
elasmosaur (e-las'mo-sar), . A reptile of the 
genus Elasmosaurus or family Elasmosauridw. 
Skeleton of an Elasmosaur (Elasmosaurus 
Elasmosaurid<B(e-las-mo-sa'ri-de), n.pl. [NL., 
< Elasmosaurus + -idee.] A family of extinct 
natatorial reptiles, taking name from the genus 
Elasmosaurus. 
Elasmosaurus (e-las-mo-sa'rus), n. [NL.(Cope, 
1868), < Gr. eAaff/iof, i^aafia, a thin plate, + aaii- 
pf, lizard.] An American genus of extinct 
reptiles, of the order Sauropterygia, related to 
the plesiosaurs, but differing in the structure 
of the pectoral arch. A species was upward of 40 feet 
long, aquatic and piscivorous, with a very long neck, small 
head, paddle-like limbs and tail, and long, sharp teeth. 
Elasmotheriidae (e-las'mo-the-ri'i-de), n. pi. 
[NL., < Elasmotherium + '-iddi.] A family of 
extinct perissodactyl quadrupeds, without ca- 
nines or incisors, and with a crenulated longi- 
tudinal ridge on the lower molars : a group hav- 
ing relationships with both the horse and the 
rhinoceros, but much more closely related to 
the latter in the order of ungulates. Gill, 1872. 
Elasmotherium(e-las-mo-the'ri-um), . [NL., 
< Gr. eAaou6f, a thin plate, + 6>jpiov, a wild beast.] 
The typical genus of the family Elasmotlieriidce. 
Elasmus (e-las'mus), n. [NL., < Gr. tAaoyiof 
(also llaa/ta), a metal plate, < e^aiivetv (efa-), 
drive, strike, beat out: see elastic.] A genus 
of parasitic hymenopterous insects, of the fam- 
ily Chalcididce, representing the subfamily Elas- 
mtnce, having four-jointed tarsi, enlarged hind 
femora, and the antennas ramose in the male. 
The species are all of small size, and some are secondary 
parasites that is, parasites of parasites. E. ptdlatui is 
a North American example. Westwood, 1833. 
Elassoma (el-a-so'ma), n. [NL. (Jordan, 1877), 
< Gr. as if *eXaaauua, a diminution^ loss, defect, 
defeat, < iTjiaaovv, make less, < eAaatsuv, less, 
oompar. of eXo^wf, little, small.] A genus of 
very small fresh-water fishes of North America, 
representing the family Elassomidce. 
elassome (el'a-som), n. A fish of the family 
Elassomidce. D. S. Jordan. 
Elassomidae (el-a-som'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < Elas- 
soma + -id/."] A family of acanthopterygian 
fishes, represented by the genus Elassoma. They 
have an oblong compressed body covered with rather large 
cycloid scales, no lateral line, unarmed opercular bones, 
conic teeth in the jaws, and toothless palate ; the dorsal 
fin is short and has about 4 spines, the anal still smaller 
with 3 spines, and the ventral thoracic and normal, with 
1 spine and 5 rays. Only two species are known ; they 
inhabit sluggish streams and ponds of the southern United 
States, and are among the smallest of fishes, rarely exceed- 
ing 1} inches in length. Also Elassomatidce. 
elasspmoid (e-las'o-moid), a. and n. I. a. Per- 
taining to or having the characters of the Elan- 
somidce. 
II. n. An elassome. 
elastic (e-las'tik), a. and n. [Formerly also 
elastick (first recorded in the form elastical : see 
first quot.) ; = F. elastigue = Sp. eldstico = Pg. 
It. elastico (of. D. G. elastisch = Dan. Sw. elas- 
tisk), < NL. elasticus (NGr. cAaariK6f), elastic, < 
Gr. as if "c^aar^f, for t/lanfr, equiv. to e^art/p, 
a driver, hurler (see elater%), < chaivtiv (EAO-), 
drive, set in motion, push, strike, beat out.] 
I. a. If. Serving, as a catapult, to hurl mis- 
siles by the force of a spring. 
By what elastick engines did she rear 
The starry roof, and roll the orbs in air? 
Sir H. Blaclnnore. 
1862 
2. Having, as a solid body, the power of re- 
turning to the form from which it is bent, ex- 
tended, pressed, pulled, or distorted, as soon as 
the force applied is removed ; having, as a fluid, 
the property of recovering its former volume 
after compression. A body is perfectly elastic when 
it has the property of resisting a given deformation equal- 
ly however that deformation may have been produced, 
whether slowly or suddenly, etc. All bodies, however, 
have different elasticities at different temperatures, and 
if the deformation is so sudden as to change the tempera- 
ture of the body and so alter its resistance to deforma- 
tion, this is not considered as showing it to be imperfect- 
ly elastic. 
For the more easy understanding of the experiments 
triable by our engine, I thought it not superfluous nor un- 
seasonable, in the recital of this first of them, to insinuate 
that notion by which it seems likely that most, if not all 
of them, will prove explicable. Your Lordship will easi- 
ly suppose that the notion I speak of is that there is a 
spring, or elastical power, in the air we live in. By which 
,A,,r ,/,, or spring of the air, that which I mean is this : that 
our air either consists of, or at least abounds with, parts 
of such a nature that in case they be bent or compressed 
by the weight of the incumbent part of the atmosphere, 
or by any other body, they do endeavor, as much as in 
them lieth, to free themselves from that pressure, by bear- 
ing against the contiguous bodies that keep them bent ; 
and as soon as those bodies are removed, or reduced to 
give them way, by presently unbending and stretching 
out themselves, either quite, or so far forth as the con- 
tiguous bodies that resist them permit, and thereby ex- 
panding the whole parcel of air these elastical bodies 
compose. Boyle, Spring of the Air (1669). 
A body is called elastic in which a particle moved from 
Its natural position of equilibrium has a tendency to re- 
turn to its first position as soon as the external cause which 
had displaced it has ceased. Blaserna, Sound (trans.), p. 4. 
Figuratively 3. Admitting of extension ; ca- 
pable of expanding and contracting, accord- 
ing to circumstances; hence, yielding and ac- 
commodating: as, an elastic conscience ; elastic 
principles. 
A volunteer navy may in some degree supply the place 
of privateers, supposing that plenty of time and an elastic 
organization are at command. 
J. R. Soley, Blockade and Cruisers, p. 169. 
4. Possessing the power or quality of recover- 
ing from depression or exhaustion ; able to 
resist a depressing or exhausting influence; 
capable of sustaining shocks without perma- 
nent injury : as, elastic spirits. 
The herds are elastic with health. Landor. 
Curve of elastic resistance. See curve. Elastic 
belting, a material made in bands from half an inch to 
several inches in width, plain or striped, and having thin 
slips of india-rubber lying in the direction of its length 
and covered by woven material of cotton, silk, or the like, 
which completely conceals the india-rubber, unless the 
belting is stretched. The threads of rubber are usually 
square in section, having been cut from thin sheets. 
Elastic bitumen. Same as elaterite. Elastic button. 
See button. Elastic cartilage, cartilage represented in 
the pinna, the epiglottis, and elsewhere, which is opaque, 
yellowish, flexible, and tough, and in which the matrix 
except in the immediate vicinity of the cells is permeated 
by numerous elastic fibers. Elastic curve. See curve. 
Elastic fabric, a cloth or ribbon into which threads of 
rubber called shirrs are woven. Elastic fibers, in anal., 
fibers of elastic quality traversing the intercellular sub- 
stance of connective tissue. They are of a light-yellow 
color, branch and anastomose freely, and strongly resist 
chemical treatment. Elastic flannel. See flannel. 
Elastic fluid, a fluid which has the property of expand- 
ing in all directions on the removal of external pressure, 
as gases and vapors. See ga>. Elastic glue. See glue. 
Elastic gum, india-rubber. Elastic mineral pitch, 
a brown, massive, elastic variety of bitumen. Elastic 
mold, a mold of glue used for copying casts. Elastic 
tissue, in anat., connective tissue made elastic by the 
presence of abundant elastic fibers. Such tissue is found 
in the middle coat of arteries, the larynx, Eustachian tube, 
yellow ligaments of the vertebrae, etc., and forms in some 
animals the ligamentum nuchse. Mixed with cartilage, it 
constitutes a variety of the latter known as yellow or elas- 
tic flbrocartilage. Elastic type, a type made of roller- 
composition (glue, glycerin, and sugar) or prepared gutta- 
percha, which yields under impression : used generally 
in the form of a stereotype for hand-stamping with ink, 
for which elasticity is desirable. Elastic webbing, a 
material similar to elastic belting, but of greater widtn. 
II. n. A piece or strip of india-rubber, or of 
webbing or belting made elastic by the incor- 
poration of india-rubber, used as a band, gar- 
ter, or the like. [TJ. S.] 
elasticalt (e-las'ti-kal), a. [See elastic."] Same 
as elastic. 
elastically (e-las'ti-kal-i), adv. In an elastic 
manner; with elasticity or power of accommo- 
dation. 
Comedy . . . elastically lending itself to the tone and 
taste of the times without sacrificing the laws of its own 
being. A. W. Ward, Eng. Dram. Lit., Int., p. xxxv. 
elastician (e-las-tish'an), n. [< elastic + -ian.] 
A person devoted to the advancement of the 
knowledge of elasticity. 
elasticity (e-las-tis'i-ti), n. [= F. elastititt = 
Sp. elasticidad = Pg. elasticidade = It. elasticita 
= D. elasticiteit = G. elasticitat = Dan. Sw. 
elasticitet, < NL. *elasticita(t-)s, elasticity, < eliis- 
ticus, elastic : see elastic and -ity.\ The prop- 
elatement 
erty of being elastic, in any sense ; especially, 
that physical force resident in the smallest sen- 
sible parts of bodies, by virtue of which the 
holding of them in a state of strain (change of 
size or shape) involves work, which for small 
strains is proportional to the square of the 
amount of the strain. There are different kinds 
of elasticity, corresponding to the different 
kinds of strain. 
If the restitution of a springy body, forcibly bent, pro- 
ceed only from the endeavor of the compressed parts 
themselves to recover their former state, one may not im- 
pertinently take notice of the elasticity that iron, silver 
and brass acquire by hammering. 
Boyle, Great Effects of Motion. 
On the fingers of the queen were ten. gold rings, the 
hoops of which were not continuous, but open like brace- 
lets to admit of elasticity. 
C. T. Newton, Art and Archoool., p. 382. 
Never did the finances of the country give stronger evi- 
dence of vitality, soundness, and elasticity than was pro- 
duced when Lowe, on opening the budget of 1871 on April 
20, showed the yield of the revenue for 1870-1 to have 
exceeded the estimate by two millions and a quarter. 
S. Doivell, Taxes in England, II. 363. 
He [Berkeley] returned ... to have the primacy of 
Ireland within his reach. But we always feel that he has 
not the same elasticity and heartiness of life as before. 
Scotsman (newspaperX 
Axis of elasticity, axis of direct elasticity. See 
axial. Coefficient of elasticity. See efficient. 
Elasticity of bulk, resistance to change of bulk. Elas- 
ticity of Shape, resistance to change of shape. Fres- 
nel's surface of elasticity, a surface whose radii vec- 
tores are proportional to the square roots of the elastic 
forces which, upon Fresnel's theory of light, are exerted 
in the directions of those radii round any point of a crys- 
talline body. Light-elasticity. See light. Limit of 
elasticity, an amount of deformation which if applied to 
a body is such that if made any greater the body will not 
completely spring back when released. Modulus Of 
elasticity, the ratio of stress to strain : also termed the 
elasticity simply. See modulus. Perfect elasticity, the 
property of being perfectly elastic. See elastic, a., 2. 
elasticness (e-las'tik-nes), n. Elasticity. 
Bailey, 1727. '[Rare.] 
elastin (e-las'tin), n. [< elast-ic + .**.] In 
chem., a body closely resembling albumen, ex- 
cept that it is free from sulphur, forming the 
principal substance of the elastic fiber which is 
the characteristic constituent of certain tissues. 
elatcb.ee (e-lach'e), n. [< Hind, elachi, ildchi.] 
Cardamom. 
elate (e-laf), v. t.; pret. and pp. elated, ppr. 
elating'. [< L. elatus, pp. of efferre, bring out, 
lift up, < ex, out, +ferre, carry (= E. bearf), pp. 
latus : see ablative, and cf . collate, delate^, de- 
late^, dilate, illate, prolate, relate, etc., and effer- 
ent.'] If. To raise ; exalt ; elevate. 
From whence the Talismanni with elated voyces, for 
they use no bels, doe congregate the people, pronouncing 
the Arabicke sentence, there is but one God, and Ma- 
homet his Prophet. Sandys, Travailes, p. 24. 
Turn we a moment Fancy's rapid flight 
To vigorous soils, and climes of far extent ; 
Where, by the potent sun elated high, 
The vineyard swells refulgent on the day. 
Thomson, Autumn. 
2. To raise or swell, as the mind or spirits; 
elevate with satisfaction or gratification ; puff 
up ; make proud. 
Though elated by his victory, he still maintained the 
appearance of moderation. Hume, Hist. Eng. 
He [Gilbert White] brags of no fine society, hut is plainly 
a little elated by " having considerable acquaintance with 
a tame brown owl." Lowell, Study Windows, p. 2. 
elate (e-laf), a. [< ME. elat, < L. elatus, pp. : 
see the verb.] 1. Eaised; lifted up. [Poetical 
and archaic.] 
And sovereign law, that state's collected will, 
O'er thrones and globes, elate, 
Sits empress. Sir W. Jones. 
2. Exalted in feeling ; elated. 
This kyng of kynges proud was and elaat ; 
He wende that god, that sit in magestee, 
Ne myght hym nat bireue of his estaat. 
Chaucer, Monk's Tale (ed. Skeat), B. 3357. 
Those promising youths, . . . like sons of the morning, 
elate with empty hopes and glittering outsides. 
Bacon, Moral Fables, i., Kxpl. 
Who feels his freehold's worth, and looks elate, 
A little prop and pillar of the state. 
Crabbe, Works, I. 176. 
= Syn. 2. Exultant, jubilant, exhilarated, overjoyed, putt- 
ed up, proud. 
elatedly (e-la'ted-li), adv. With elation. 
Nero, we find, defiled most in the foulest mires of luxu- 
ry, and where do we find any so elatedly proud, or so un- 
justly rapacious as he? Feltham, On Luke xiv. 20. 
elatedness (e-la'ted-nes), 11. The state of be- 
ing elated. Bailey, 1731. 
elatement (e-lat'ment), n. [< elate + -meat.] 
The act of elating, or the state of being elated; 
mental elevation ; elation. 
A sudden elatement swells our minds. 
Hervey, Meditations, II. 64. 
