allowable

The word 'allowable' is built upon the verb 'allow', which itself has a complex history. 'Allow' entered English from Anglo-French 'alouer', a fusion of two Latin verbs: 'allaudare' (to praise) and 'allocare' (to place, assign). Over time, the sense shifted from "to assign with approval" to the modern meaning of "to permit". The suffix '-able', of Latin origin via French, is attached to verbs to create adjectives meaning "capable of being [verb]ed". Therefore, 'allowable' literally means "capable of being permitted", a meaning that has remained consistent from its formation to its current use describing something that is acceptable within a given set of rules.

Structure: allow + able allow: From Middle English 'alowen', from Anglo-French 'alouer', from Latin 'allaudare' (to praise) and 'allocare' (to place). In this word, it functions as the verbal root meaning "to permit". able: From Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin '-abilis' (adjective-forming suffix meaning "capable of, fit for"). In this word, it functions as a suffix meaning "capable of being".