achievable

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.

Structure: achieve + able 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').