noun
solidity
suh-LID-uh-tee/səˈlɪdəti/
Firmness that resists deformation.
The stone bridge's solidity allows it to carry the loaded cart without bending.
Etymology
Solidity turns the firmness of solidus into a quality in its own right. Its early meaning of hardness connects physical compactness with the broader idea of being strong or substantial.
In context
During the Hellenistic period, Doric conventions of solidity and masculinity dropped away, with the slender and unfluted columns reaching a height to diameter ratio of 7.5:1.
More examples
- She presses the clay to test its solidity.
- Thicker walls give the plastic container greater solidity.
- The concrete gains solidity as it cures.
Forms
solidity
solid adjective — Firm and resistant to changes in shape.
Similar words
- firmness
- Emphasizes resistance to pressure without necessarily implying complete rigidity.
- rigidity
- Specifically emphasizes resistance to bending or flexing under force.
- hardness
- Emphasizes resistance to scratching, denting, or penetration at the surface.