What does "plasticity" refer to in a physical sense?

The term "plasticity" in a physical context specifically refers to the property of a material that allows it to be physically malleable, meaning it can be shaped or molded without breaking. This characteristic is crucial in fields such as materials science and engineering, where understanding how materials deform under various forces is essential for their application. When a material exhibits plasticity, it can undergo significant deformation while retaining its new shape once the deforming force is removed, which is a vital aspect of many manufacturing processes. This quality differentiates materials that can be reshaped easily, like clay or certain metals, from those that would resist such changes.