[f. prec. + -LY2.] In an elastic manner.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 234. The cells … bursting elastically with 2 valves.
1882. Vines, Sachs’ Bot., 804. The cell-walls which were previously in a state of tension evidently contract elastically.
b. transf. and fig.
1816. in J. Scott, Vis. Paris (ed. 4), 272. The visitor, therefore, feels his existence sit as lightly and elastically as if he were just born in the full possession of the powers of manhood.
1883. Symonds, Ital. Byways, 224. Their bodies are elastically supple.
