flexibilizations
|flex-i-bi-li-za-tions|
🇺🇸
/ˌflɛksɪbɪlaɪˈzeɪʃənz/
🇬🇧
/ˌflɛksɪbəlaɪˈzeɪʃənz/
(flexibilization)
making flexible
Etymology
'flexibilization' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'flexibilis', where 'flex-' (from 'flectere') meant 'to bend' and the suffix '-bilis' meant 'able to be'. The English formation uses the adjective 'flexible' + the productive noun-forming suffix '-ization'.
'flexibilis' in Latin produced the adjective 'flexible' in English (via French/Latin mediation). The modern noun 'flexibilization' was later formed in English by adding '-ize'/'-ization' to create a verb/noun meaning 'make flexible' and then nominalizing it as 'flexibilization' (and its plural 'flexibilizations').
Initially related to the literal sense of 'bendability' ('able to be bent'), the usage broadened to mean 'capacity to adapt' and thence to the abstract process of 'making something more adaptable'—the current sense of 'flexibilization'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of making something more flexible; changes that increase flexibility.
Recent flexibilizations of the labor market have increased short-term hiring options for employers.
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Noun 2
in policy or economics, specific reforms or measures intended to make rules, contracts, or markets less rigid.
The flexibilizations proposed by the committee focus on contract terms and work-hour arrangements.
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Last updated: 2025/12/11 16:25