Answerable
/ˈæn.sər.ə.bəl/noun
Capable of being answered or held accountable.
Did you know?The core verb answer comes from Old English roots tied to responding, while the suffix -able marks something that can be done or suffered, turning a simple reply into a legal and moral burden of responsibility.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
andswarian
“to respond, reply, or make an answer”
Old English
OE
andswaru
“an answer or reply”
Middle English
ME
answeren
“to answer, respond”
Middle English
ME
answerable
“capable of being answered; accountable”
Modern English
EN
answerable
“capable of being answered or held accountable”