Step 1: Concept Different mechanical properties describe how a material responds to different types of loading.
Step 2: Meaning Resilience is energy storage; toughness is energy absorption until fracture; hardness is surface resistance.
Step 3: Analysis Stiffness is the property of a material to resist elastic deflection or deformation under an applied load. It is represented by the Modulus of Elasticity ($E$).
Step 4: Conclusion Therefore, stiffness is the correct term for the resistance to elastic deformation.
Final Answer: (C)