'destructible' originates from Latin, specifically from the past-participle stem 'destruct-' (from Latin 'destruere'), where 'de-' meant 'down' and 'struere' meant 'to pile, build' (in this compound taking on the sense of 'undo' or 'tear down').

'destructible' developed from Latin 'destructibilis' / the past-participle stem 'destruct-' (from 'destruere') into Late Latin/Old French formations and then into Middle English as 'destructible', leading to the modern English adjective 'destructible'.

Initially it carried the sense 'able to be torn down' (literal undoing or dismantling); over time it broadened to the general meaning 'able to be destroyed' or 'capable of being ruined'.