answerable
/ˈænsəəbəl/AN-sur-uh-buhl
/ˈænsɚəbəl/AN-sur-uh-buhl
Meaningable to be answered; responsible
Common meaning: having to account for something
- anagainstSkeat, Etymological Dictionary (1898), p. 26 · scan
- swerswearSkeat, Etymological Dictionary (1898), p. 26 · scan
- ableable to be
‘against’ + ‘swear’ → answerable
Sources & notes
Meaning: “Meaning” is the sense that emerges from the word’s roots; “Common meaning” is today’s everyday sense. Both written by us.
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: converted from the US form by rule (unchecked). Respelling: generated.
- No UK recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-GB voice.
- US IPA: CMUdict (BSD-2), converted to IPA by rule. Respelling: generated.
- No US recording; the speaker uses your device’s en-US voice.
Origin: Formed in English from answer + -able.
Dictionary: Skeat (1898), ANSWER, p.26 · scan
Source words
- and- + swerian Old English · source word “against + swear”
- swerian Old English · source word “to promise solemnly”
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