Definition of "flexible"

When the splitting wind Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks.

c. 1602, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Troylus and Cressida”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene iii]

Phocion the Athenian (a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people […]

1625, Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the chapter)”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret

Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible.

c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene iv]

This they foresaw was a Principle more flexible to their Purpose

1735, John Rogers, Nineteen Sermons on various occasions

Alcan is mostly flexibles -- and so it boosts Amcor's flexible packaging business to a globally significant $7 billion one.

2009 August 19, Terry McCrann, “Win-win deal for the times”, in Herald Sun‎, archived from the original on 22 August 2009