debatable
UK[dɪˈbeɪtəbl̩]US[dɪˈbeɪtəbl̩]
adj
open to discussion or argument; not certain or settled.
adj
capable of being debated or disputed.
Morpheme Breakdown
debate
able
debate
able
capable of, fit for
Etymology
the word 'debatable' is formed from the verb 'debate' and the suffix '-able'. the core verb 'debate' originates from the latin battuere, meaning 'to beat', combined with the prefix dis- implying 'apart' or 'thoroughly', thus painting a picture of a figurative fight or thorough contest of ideas. the suffix '-able', of latin origin, attaches to verbs to create adjectives meaning 'capable of' or 'worthy of'. therefore, the literal morphemic construction yields 'capable of being fought over or contested', which evolved into the modern abstract meaning of something being open to argument or not definitively settled.
Analysis
Structure: debate + able
debate (from old french debatre, meaning 'to fight, contend, discuss', from latin dis- 'apart' + battuere 'to beat'); able (from latin -abilis, an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'capable of, fit for').
Examples
it is debatable whether the new policy will achieve its intended goals.
the historical accuracy of that account is highly debatable.
which team is the best this season remains a debatable question among fans.