answerable

the word 'answerable' is a late middle english formation, built upon the native english core 'answer'. the root 'answer' itself originates from old english andswaru, a compound of and- (against) and swerian (to swear), conveying the sense of a sworn statement given in return. the suffix '-able' was adopted into english from old french, which derived it from the latin adjectival suffix -abilis, denoting capacity or fitness. thus, the literal construction 'capable of being answered' or 'fit for giving an answer' evolved into its modern senses of being held responsible (capable of being called to answer) or a question being solvable.

Structure: answer + able answer (from old english andswaru, meaning a reply or a rebuttal; functions as the core semantic root). able (from latin -abilis, via old french -able, meaning capable of or suitable for; functions as an adjective-forming suffix).