achievable
Meaning
able to be accomplished or successfully done.
Structure
Usage
setting small, achievable goals is key to maintaining motivation.
with the current resources, the project deadline is no longer achievable.
the coach emphasized that a medal was an achievable target for the dedicated athlete.
Etymology
the word 'achievable' is a relatively modern english formation, built upon the established verb 'achieve'. the core verb 'achieve' originates from the old french 'achever', meaning 'to complete' or 'to bring to a head', itself derived from the vulgar latin phrase 'accapare', combining 'ad-' (to) and 'caput' (head). the suffix '-able', of latin origin via french, is a highly productive morpheme in english that attaches to verbs to create adjectives meaning 'capable of being [verb]ed'. therefore, the literal construction 'achievable' transparently means 'capable of being brought to a head or completed', which aligns perfectly with its modern sense of something that can be successfully accomplished.
Analysis
achieve (from middle english 'acheven', via old french 'achever', from vulgar latin 'accapare', from latin ad- 'to' + caput 'head') + able (from old french '-able', from latin '-abilis', a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'capable of, fit for').