Cite nails as fixed and not adaptable (9)
I believe the answer is:
inelastic
'adaptable' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'cite nails as fixed and not' is the wordplay.
'cite nails' anagrams to 'INELASTIC'.
However, I'm not sure how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for inelastic that I've seen before include "lacking resilience" , "Supply not sensitive to price changes" , "Not stretchy" , "unable to bend?" , "Firm, not springy" .)