malleable
Meaning: Easily shaped, influenced, or adapted, whether physically (of metals and materials) or figuratively (of people, ideas, or systems).
Malleable has a technical meaning in metallurgy (capable of being hammered into shape without breaking) and a widespread figurative meaning (easily influenced or changed). When applied to people, it can be neutral or slightly negative, suggesting susceptibility to manipulation. Common collocations include 'malleable material,' 'malleable personality,' and 'highly malleable.' In psychology, 'malleable intelligence' refers to the idea that cognitive ability can be developed.
Examples
- Gold is one of the most malleable metals, capable of being beaten into sheets thinner than paper. 黄金是最具延展性的金属之一,可以被打成比纸还薄的薄片。El oro es uno de los metales más maleables, capaz de ser batido en láminas más finas que el papel.金は最も展延性に富む金属の一つであり、紙よりも薄い箔に打ち延ばすことができる。금은 가장 전성(展性)이 뛰어난 금속 중 하나로, 종이보다 얇은 박으로 두드려 펼 수 있다.
- Young children's attitudes are highly malleable and shaped profoundly by their early experiences. 幼儿的态度高度可塑,深受早期经历的影响。Las actitudes de los niños pequeños son muy maleables y están profundamente moldeadas por sus primeras experiencias.幼い子どもの態度は非常に可塑的であり、初期の経験に深く形作られる。어린아이의 태도는 매우 가소적(可塑的)이며, 초기 경험에 의해 깊이 형성된다.
- The constitution proved surprisingly malleable, accommodating reforms that its authors could never have anticipated. 宪法被证明具有惊人的可塑性,容纳了制定者从未预料到的改革。La constitución resultó sorprendentemente maleable, acomodando reformas que sus redactores jamás habrían previsto.憲法は驚くほど柔軟性があり、起草者たちが予想もしなかった改革を受け入れた。헌법은 놀라울 정도로 유연하여, 기초자들이 예상하지 못했던 개혁까지 수용했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, scientific, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Medieval Latin malleābilis, from Latin malleāre (to hammer), from malleus (hammer). Entered English in the 14th century, with the figurative sense developing by the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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