dismissible
|dis-miss-i-ble|
/dɪˈmɪsəbəl/
able to be sent away / rejected
Etymology
'dismissible' originates from Latin, specifically from the verb 'dimittere' (via Late Latin forms) and the adjective-forming suffix '-ibilis' meaning 'able to be'. The element 'dis-' meant 'apart, away' and 'mittere' meant 'to send'.
'dimittere' (Latin) -> Old French/Latin-derived verb forms (e.g. medieval Latin dimittere) -> Middle English 'dismissen'/'dismiss' -> modern English adjective 'dismissible' formed by combining 'dismiss' with the Latin-derived suffix '-ible'.
Initially it related to the physical action 'to send away' (to dismiss, send away), but over time it evolved to mean 'capable of being dismissed' in contexts such as employment, legal matters, or arguments; the core sense shifted from physical sending away to removal, rejection, or disregard.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
capable of being dismissed (removed from a job, position, or office).
The board found that the manager's contract was dismissible under the terms agreed last year.
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Adjective 2
able to be rejected, disregarded, or treated as not relevant or unimportant.
The lawyer argued that the evidence was dismissible as hearsay.
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Last updated: 2025/09/04 10:42