malleable

Definition

Able to be hammered into thin sheets; capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer, or by the pressure of rollers.

Etymology

From Middle French malléable, borrowed from Late Latin malleābilis, derived from Latin malleāre (“to hammer”), from malleus (“hammer”), from Proto-Indo-European *mal-ni- (“crushing”), an extended variant of *melh₂- (“crush, grind”).

Example Sentences

• "My opinion on the subject is malleable."
• "The psychosocial factors in this study are malleable and provide target areas for enhancing mental health in those with high levels of autistic traits."
• "And all over Hollywood, suits are licking their chops at the prospect of more malleable actors. “She’s not going to talk back,” one top talent wrangler told me dryly."