accountable

The word 'accountable' is a relatively modern English formation, emerging in the late 16th century. It is built upon the core verb 'account', which traces back to the Latin computare, meaning "to sum up, reckon, or calculate." The suffix '-able', of Latin origin via French, adds the meaning "capable of" or "subject to." Therefore, the literal morphemic construction means "capable of being accounted for." This evolved from the concrete idea of rendering a financial reckoning to the modern abstract sense of being obliged to provide justification or explanation for one's conduct, emphasizing answerability and responsibility.

Structure: account + able - account: From Old French aconter, acunter (to count, relate), from Latin computare (to calculate, reckon). In this word, it carries the sense of "reckoning" or "giving a record." - able: From Old French -able, from Latin -abilis (capable of, fit for). A suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, or worthy of" the action of the verb.