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I wonder whether it is

  • Functional/Geometric Flexibility (engine type) or
  • Functional/Geometric Adaptability (-"-)

What's the difference? What's the right choice in this context?

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Perhaps we could have a little more context? – Zairja Aug 23 '12 at 14:53

closed as not a real question by cornbread ninja 麵包忍者, jwpat7, J.R., MετάEd, tchrist Aug 28 '12 at 23:52

It's difficult to tell what is being asked here. This question is ambiguous, vague, incomplete, overly broad, or rhetorical and cannot be reasonably answered in its current form. For help clarifying this question so that it can be reopened, see the FAQ.

1 Answer

up vote 0 down vote accepted

Adaptability is the primary meaning in this context. Flexibility describing this property is a kind of metaphor, bendable = possible to adapt, with the basic meaning of a physical property, bends and returns to original shape.

In your case, to me at least, it feels like "Geometric flexibility" may be somewhat ambiguous, possibly meaning floppy wiggly springy stuff. When no structural ambiguity exists (nobody expects "flexible schedule" to mean "unrolling on its own when taken out of the box") they are quite synonymous, but "flexible geometry", "flexible engine" - these may mean "made of springy plastic" too.

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