ˈmalēəbəl, -lyəb-, ÷-ləb- adjective
Etymology: Middle English malliable, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French malleable, from Medieval Latin malleabilis, from malleare to hammer (from Latin malleus hammer) + Latin -abilis -able — more at maul
1. : capable of being extended or shaped by beating with a hammer or by the pressure of rollers
most metals are malleable
— compare ductile
2. : capable of being formed or transformed : susceptible of being fashioned into a new or different form or shape : not rigidly fixed in condition or direction : plastically open to outside forces or influences : adaptable to other conditions or needs or uses : impressionable
finds a sort of malleable mind in front of him that he can play with as he will — John Masefield
the malleable character of youth
tactics that are malleable and vary with circumstances
Synonyms: see plastic