dischargeable
|dis-charge-a-ble|
🇺🇸
/dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒəbəl/
🇬🇧
/dɪsˈtʃɑːdʒəb(ə)l/
able to be released or removed
Etymology
'dischargeable' is formed from the verb 'discharge' + the adjectival suffix '-able'. 'Discharge' originates from Old French 'descharger' (Modern French 'décharger'), and the suffix '-able' comes from Latin '-abilis' via Old French.
'discharge' entered Middle English from Old French 'descharger' (literally 'to unload'); Middle English forms such as 'dischargen' evolved into modern English 'discharge', to which the productive suffix '-able' was added to form 'dischargeable'.
Originally 'discharge' meant 'to unload (a wagon)' or 'to remove a load'; over time it broadened to mean 'to release, let out, dismiss, or relieve', and 'dischargeable' now means 'able to be released, removed, or forgiven' depending on context.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
capable of being released, emitted, or let out (of a substance, energy, fluid, gas, etc.).
The tank contained a dischargeable gas that required special handling.
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Adjective 2
in law or finance: able to be eliminated, forgiven, or removed from obligation (especially of debts in bankruptcy).
Only certain types of loans are dischargeable in bankruptcy proceedings.
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Adjective 3
capable of being released from duty, confinement, or care (e.g., a patient or employee who may be released).
After observation overnight, the patient was considered dischargeable.
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Last updated: 2025/12/17 19:04