mobile

mo•bile

[[t]ˈmoʊ bəl, -bil[/t]] esp. brit. [[t]-baɪl[/t]] for 1-8,10,11; [[t]ˈmoʊ bil[/t]] or, Brit., [[t]-baɪl[/t]] for 9 adj.

1) capable of moving or being moved readily

2) cvb trs contained in or utilizing a motor vehicle for ready movement from place to place:

a mobile x-ray unit[/ex]

3) changing easily in expression, mood, purpose, etc.:

a mobile face[/ex]

4) quickly responding to impulses, emotions, etc., as the mind

5) soc

a) characterized by or permitting the mixing of social groups

b) characterized by or permitting relatively free movement from one social class or level to another

6) flowing freely, as a liquid

7) of or pertaining to a mobile

8) fia an abstract sculpture having delicately balanced units constructed of pieces of metal or other material suspended in midair by wire or twine so that the individual parts can move independently

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Etymology: 1480–90; < L, neut. of mōbilis movable =mō- (var. s. of movēre to move) +-bilis -ble