adoptable
UK[əˈdɒptəbl]US[əˈdɑːptəbl]
adj
Able to be adopted, especially a child.
adj
Suitable or acceptable for adoption or use.
Morpheme Breakdown
adopt
able
adopt
able
capable of, fit for, or worthy of
Etymology
The word 'adoptable' is a modern English formation built upon the verb 'adopt', which entered Middle English from Old French adopter, itself derived from Latin adoptare. The Latin source is a compound of ad-, a preposition meaning 'to', and optare, meaning 'to choose or wish for', literally conveying the act of 'choosing to oneself'. The suffix '-able', of Latin origin via French, is productively attached to verbs to create adjectives indicating passive capability. Therefore, 'adoptable' logically means 'capable of being chosen (for oneself)', a meaning that has specialized in legal and social contexts to refer primarily to children eligible for adoption, while retaining a broader sense of suitability for being taken up or accepted.
Analysis
Structure: adopt + able
- adopt: From Latin adoptare ('to choose for oneself'), combining ad- ('to') and optare ('to choose, desire'). It functions as the verb root.
- able: From Latin -abilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'capable of, fit for, or worthy of'. It functions as an adjective-forming suffix.
Examples
The agency works to find homes for every adoptable pet in their care.
After the reforms, more children in the state system were deemed adoptable.
The software's modular design makes it easily adoptable for different business needs.