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Stretch vs Elastic - What's the difference?

stretch | elastic |

As nouns the difference between stretch and elastic

is that stretch is an act of stretching while elastic is (uncountable) an elastic material used in clothing, particularly in waistbands and cuffs.

As a verb stretch

is (label) to lengthen by pulling.

As an adjective elastic is

capable of stretching; particularly, capable of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when force is released.

stretch

English

Verb

  • (label) To lengthen by pulling.
  • (label) To lengthen when pulled.
  • * Boyle
    • The inner membrane because it would stretch and yield, remained unbroken.
  • (label) To pull tight.
  • To get more use than expected from a limited resource.
  • To make inaccurate by exaggeration.
  • (label) To extend physically, especially from limit point to limit point.
  • * , chapter=1
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients, chapter=1 , passage=Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path […]. It twisted and turned,
  • To extend one’s limbs or another part of the body in order to improve the elasticity of one's muscles
  • (label) To extend to a limit point
  • (label) To increase.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2011, date=October 29, author=Neil Johnston, work=BBC Sport
    • , title= Norwich 3-3 Blackburn , passage=Yakubu took advantage of John Ruddy's error to put the visitors back in front, with Chris Samba's header stretching their advantage.}}
  • To stretch the truth; to exaggerate.
    • a man apt to stretch in his report of facts
  • (label) To sail by the wind under press of canvas.
    • The ship stretched to the eastward.

    Noun

    (es)
  • An act of stretching.
    • I was right in the middle of a stretch when the phone rang.
    To say crossing the street was brave was quite a stretch.
  • The ability to lengthen when pulled.
    • That rubber band has quite a bit of stretch.
  • A course of thought which diverts from straightforward logic, or requires extraordinary belief.
    • It's a bit of a stretch to call Boris Karloff a comedian.
  • A segment of a journey or route.
    • It was an easy trip except for the last stretch , which took forever.
  • (label) A quick pitching delivery used when runners are on base where the pitcher slides his leg instead of lifting it.
  • (label) A long reach in the direction of the ball with a foot remaining on the base by a first baseman in order to catch the ball sooner.
  • A length of time.
    • He did a 7-year stretch in jail.
  • *
    • After the harvest there was a stretch of clear dry weather, and the animals toiled harder than ever
  • (label) A term of address for a tall person
  • * 2007 , Michael Farrell, Running with Buffalo
  • *:“Hey, Stretch ,” he shouted at a tall, spectacled co-worker, “turn the fucking station, will you? You know I can't stand Rush, and it's all they play on this one. If I hear those assholes whine 'Tom Sawyer' one more time, I may go on a fucking killing spree.

    • Derived terms

    {{der3, at full stretch , by a long stretch , cat stretch , outstretch , overstretch , seventh inning stretch , stretchable , stretch limo , stretch of the imagination , stretch mark , stretch out , stretch pants , stretcher , stretchy}}

    Anagrams

    * English ergative verbs

    elastic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * elastick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Capable of stretching; particularly, capable of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when force is released.
    • The rope is somewhat elastic , so expect it to give when you pull on it.
  • Made of elastic.
    • elastic band
  • Of clothing, elasticated.
  • (economics) Sensitive to changes in price.
    • Demand for entertainment is more elastic than demand for energy.
  • springy; bouncy; vivacious
  • * 1900 , , The House Behind the Cedars , Chapter I,
    • He could see that she was tastefully, though not richly, dressed, and that she walked with an elastic step that revealed a light heart and the vigor of perfect health. Her face, of course, he could not analyze, since he had caught only the one brief but convincing glimpse of it.
  • Able to return quickly to a former state or condition, after being depressed or overtaxed; having power to recover easily from shocks and trials.
    • elastic''' spirits; an '''elastic constitution

    Synonyms

    * stretchy * stretchable

    Related terms

    * elasticated * elasticated * elastic band * inelastic * elasticity

    Noun

  • (uncountable) An elastic material used in clothing, particularly in waistbands and cuffs.
    • Running shorts use elastic to eliminate the need for a belt.
  • (countable) An elastic band.

    • External links

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    Anagrams

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