malleable

The definition of malleable is capable of being shaped or changed, whether physically or mentally.

(adjective)

  1. An example of malleable is a piece of wood that a hammer can reshape.
  2. An example of malleable is a person whose decisions are constantly influenced by her peers' opinions.

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See malleable in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. that can be hammered, pounded, or pressed into various shapes without breaking: said of metals
  2. capable of being changed, molded, trained, etc.; adaptable

Origin: ME malliable < ML malleabilis < L malleare, to beat with a hammer < malleus, a hammer < IE base *mel-, to grind, beat > mill

Related Forms:

See malleable in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Capable of being shaped or formed, as by hammering or pressure: a malleable metal.
  2. Easily controlled or influenced; tractable.
  3. Able to adjust to changing circumstances; adaptable: the malleable mind of the pragmatist.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Medieval Latin malleābilis

Origin: , from malleāre, to hammer

Origin: , from Latin malleus, hammer; see melə- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • malˌle·a·bilˈi·ty, malˈle·a·ble·ness noun
  • malˈle·a·bly adverb

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