decidability
|de-ci-da-bi-li-ty|
/dɪˌsaɪdəˈbɪləti/
can be decided
Etymology
'decidability' originates from Latin, specifically the verb 'decidere', where 'de-' meant 'off' or 'away' and 'caedere' (via the past participle) meant 'to cut'. The modern noun is formed by English base 'decide' + the suffixes '-able'/'-ability' or '-ity'.
'decidability' developed from Latin 'decidere' into Middle French/Old French 'decider', then into Middle English as the verb 'deciden' / 'decide'. From the verb 'decide' English formed the adjective 'decidable' and then the noun 'decidability' by adding the nominal suffix.
Initially, the Latin root was associated with 'cutting off' or 'separating' (a physical action), then shifted to the sense 'to make a decision' or 'determine', and in modern use the derived noun denotes the property of being able to be decided (especially algorithmically in logic/CS).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in logic and theoretical computer science, the property of a decision problem or formal theory that there exists an algorithm (a terminating procedure) that correctly decides membership or truth for every input — i.e., it is algorithmically solvable.
The decidability of first-order theories varies: some are decidable while others are known to be undecidable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
the general quality or state of being able to be decided; the fact that a matter can be determined or settled.
The committee questioned the decidability of the issue before moving to a vote.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/14 19:23