What does "ductile" mean?

Ductile has several possible definitions, depending on the object it refers to. It can refer to the pliability of a material, or to the mental state of a person.

When "ductile" is used to describe a metal, it may refer specifically to the ability of the metal to be drawn into a wire. When the word is used to describe other materials, it refers to their ability to retain their original strength, and to how well they resist breakage when their shape is changed. When "ductile" is used to describe a person, it refers to their ability to be manipulated, or to a tendency toward being submissive.