verb / noun
give
Yielding or the capacity to yield under pressure.
The old floorboards give slightly beneath our feet.
Etymology
The inherited verb includes yielding. A material that gives yields some of its position or resistance when pressure is applied, and the noun names that capacity.
More examples
- This fabric has plenty of give.
- The branch gave under his weight.
- The door finally gave way.
Forms
give · gives · gave · given · giving
Similar words
- yield
- More formal; emphasizes bending or giving way.