adjustable

The word 'adjustable' is a modern English formation built upon the verb 'adjust', which entered English in the 17th century from Old French ajoster, meaning 'to put together, to join'. This French term derived from the Vulgar Latin adiustare, a compound of ad- ('to') and iustus ('just, right'), thus carrying the literal sense of 'to make right or correct'. The suffix '-able', of Latin origin via French, was productively attached to verbs to create adjectives indicating passive capability. Therefore, the literal morphemic logic of 'adjustable' is 'capable of being made right or suitable', which evolved into its modern abstract meaning describing an object's capacity for modification to achieve a proper fit or function.

Structure: adjust + able - adjust: From Latin adiustare (to bring close, correct), via Old French ajoster. The core sense is 'to make right or suitable'. - able: A suffix of Latin origin (-abilis) via Old French, forming adjectives meaning 'capable of, fit for, or worthy of being acted upon'.