assailableness
|a-sail-a-ble-ness|
🇺🇸
/əˈseɪləb(ə)lnəs/
🇬🇧
/əˈseɪləblnəs/
(assailable)
open to attack
Etymology
'assailableness' ultimately derives from the verb 'assail', which comes from Old French 'assaillir' and from Latin 'assalire' (from prefix 'ad-' meaning 'to, toward' + Latin 'salire' meaning 'to leap').
'assalire' (Latin) > 'assaillir' (Old French) > 'assail' (Middle English) > 'assailable' (adjective) > 'assailableness' (noun).
Originally associated with the physical act 'to attack' or 'to leap upon'; over time it came to denote the state of being open to attack or criticism—the current meaning of 'assailableness'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being assailable; susceptibility to attack, criticism, or assault.
The assailableness of the fortress worried the council, prompting immediate reinforcements.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/01 11:10