disposable
UK[dɪˈspəʊzəbl]US[dɪˈspoʊzəbl]
adj
Made to be thrown away after one use or a short period.
adj
(of financial assets) Available for use; able to be spent.
Morpheme Breakdown
dis
pos
able
dis
apart
pos
place
able
capable of
Etymology
The word "disposable" is built on the verb "dispose," which entered English from Old French disposer, itself from Latin disponere ("to arrange, distribute, set apart"). The Latin components are dis- (indicating separation) and ponere (a prolific verb meaning "to place"). The suffix -able was added in English to form an adjective meaning "capable of being disposed of." The modern primary meaning of "intended to be thrown away after use" is a 20th-century semantic development, logically extending from the idea of something being "available to be set aside or gotten rid of."
Analysis
Structure: dis (apart) + pos (place) + able (capable of)
- dis: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "apart," "away," or having a reversing force.
- pos: From Latin ponere, meaning "to place" or "to put," via the past participle stem posit-.
- able: From Latin -abilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, tending to."
Examples
Disposable cups and plates are convenient for large picnics.
After paying taxes, she calculated her disposable income for the month.
The surgeon used a disposable scalpel to ensure sterility.