countable
Meaning
(of a noun) able to be counted and having a plural form
(of a set) having a finite number of elements
Structure
Usage
In English, "apple" is a countable noun, while "water" is not.
The set of all natural numbers is infinite but still countable.
We need to buy more chairs because they are countable items for the inventory.
Etymology
The word 'countable' is a relatively modern English formation, built upon the established verb 'count'. The verb itself has a long journey, originating from the Latin 'computare', meaning "to sum up, reckon, calculate," which is a compound of 'com-' (with, together) and 'putare' (to reckon, consider). This Latin root passed into Old French as 'conter' before entering Middle English. The suffix '-able', of Latin origin via French, is one of the most productive in English for creating adjectives from verbs, indicating the capacity or suitability for the action. Thus, the literal morphemic logic of "capable of being counted" directly and transparently informs its modern grammatical and mathematical meanings, describing nouns that can form plurals or sets with discrete, enumerable members.
Analysis
- count: From Anglo-French/Old French 'cunter', 'conter', from Latin 'computare' (to calculate, reckon). Functions as the verbal root meaning to enumerate. - able: From Old French '-able', from Latin '-abilis' (capable of, fit for). Functions as an adjective-forming suffix meaning "capable of" or "fit for".