advisability
UK[ədˌvaɪzəˈbɪləti]US[ədˌvaɪzəˈbɪləti]
n
The quality of being advisable or wise; the fact that something should be done in order to avoid problems or achieve success.
Morpheme Breakdown
advise
ability
advise
to give counsel or recommend
ability
the quality or state of being
Etymology
The word 'advisability' is a modern English formation built upon the older verb 'advise'. The core of 'advise' originates from the Latin phrase ad visum, literally 'according to what is seen', implying judgment based on perception. Over time in Old French and Middle English, it evolved to mean 'to give considered opinion or counsel'. The suffix '-ability', derived from Latin -abilitas via Old French -abilité, is productively attached to adjectives ending in '-able' to create abstract nouns denoting a state or quality. Thus, 'advisability' logically constructs the abstract quality (the '-ability') of being recommendable or prudent ('advis-able'), directly linking the ancient idea of seeing and judging to the modern concept of recommended wisdom.
Analysis
Structure: advise + ability
advise: From Old French aviser, based on Latin ad- (to) + visum (past participle of videre, to see). Functions as the verbal root meaning 'to give counsel or recommend'.
ability: From Latin -abilitas, a suffix forming nouns of quality or state from adjectives ending in -abilis (-able). Functions as a noun-forming suffix meaning 'the quality or state of being'.
Examples
The committee will review the advisability of investing in new technology at this time.
I question the advisability of making such a important decision without more data.
The report discussed the legal and financial advisability of the proposed merger.