answerableness
|an-swer-a-ble-ness|
🇺🇸
/ˈænsərəb(ə)lnəs/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːns(ə)rəblnəs/
liable to be held accountable; capable of being answered
Etymology
'answerableness' originates from Modern English, specifically formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'answerable'.
'answerable' derived from 'answer' + adjectival suffix '-able'; 'answer' evolved from Middle English 'answere' (or 'answar(e)') which in turn came from Old English 'andswaru' / 'andswarian' and ultimately from Proto-Germanic roots meaning 'to respond' or 'to swear in return'.
Initially, 'answer' primarily meant 'a reply or response'; over time the adjective 'answerable' developed the sense 'liable to be held to account' as well as 'capable of being answered', and 'answerableness' now denotes either accountability or explainability depending on context.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or quality of being answerable; liability to be called to account or held responsible.
The committee questioned the answerableness of the director's actions.
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Noun 2
the quality of being capable of being answered, explained, or justified; explainability or reasonableness in response.
Scholars debated the answerableness of the hypothesis.
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Last updated: 2025/08/20 04:37