Nonmalleable is an adjective that describes something or someone that cannot be altered, changed, or manipulated easily. It refers to a state of rigidity, steadfastness, or resistance to modification, either physically or metaphorically.
In a physical context, nonmalleable typically applies to substances, materials, or objects that have properties that make them difficult to shape or reshape. These can include rigid metals, ceramics, or other solid materials that do not easily bend, deform, or yield under pressure or force.
In a metaphorical or abstract sense, nonmalleable may pertain to concepts, ideas, principles, or immaterial entities that are resistant to alteration, influence, or manipulation. For instance, an individual with strong personal values might be described as nonmalleable if they remain steadfast in their beliefs despite external pressures or societal norms.
In the field of computer science and cryptography, nonmalleability refers to the property of a cryptographic scheme or algorithm that ensures that the encrypted data remains immune to intentional modifications or tampering attempts by an adversary. Nonmalleability guarantees that any unauthorized alteration of the ciphertext will not lead to a valid modified message once decrypted.
Overall, nonmalleable conveys the idea of something that is unyielding, resistant to change, or unable to be easily modified, whether in a physical, abstract, or cryptographic context.
