arguable

the word arguable is a relatively modern english formation, built upon the established verb 'argue'. the verb 'argue' itself entered middle english from old french arguer, meaning to accuse, charge, or prove, which traces back to latin arguere, signifying to make clear, demonstrate, or assert. the latin root is thought to possibly derive from a proto-indo-european base meaning 'to shine, be white,' hence the conceptual link to making things clear or evident. by appending the productive suffix '-able', of latin origin, the adjective 'arguable' was created to denote something that is capable of being argued for, asserted, or debated, capturing the sense of a proposition whose validity is open to reasoned discussion rather than being definitively settled.

Structure: argu(e) (to argue) + able (capable of) argu(e) - from latin arguere (to make clear, prove, assert). functional role: verbal root. able - from latin -abilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, tending to". functional role: adjective-forming suffix.