durables
UK[ˈdjʊərəbl̩z]US[ˈdʊrəbl̩z]
n
Goods that are expected to last for a relatively long time and are not quickly worn out or consumed, such as appliances, furniture, or cars.
Morpheme Breakdown
dur
able
s
dur
to last
able
capable of
s
plural suffix
Etymology
The word 'durables' originates from the Latin verb 'durare', meaning "to harden, to last," which itself derives from the Latin adjective 'durus' (hard). The suffix '-abilis' was added to form the adjective 'durabilis', signifying "capable of lasting." This entered Middle English via Old French as 'durable'. The modern economic term 'durables' (short for 'durable goods') is a nominalization of this adjective, with the plural '-s' indicating a category of tangible items. The semantic logic traces a path from the physical property of hardness to the abstract concept of longevity, specifically applied to manufactured products designed for extended use rather than immediate consumption.
Analysis
Structure: dur (to last) + able (capable of) + s (plural suffix)
- dur: From Latin 'durare' (to last, to harden), functioning as the core root conveying the sense of lasting.
- able: A suffix from Latin '-abilis', indicating capability or worthiness, forming the adjective 'durable'.
- s: A plural suffix from Old English, used here to form the plural noun from the adjective 'durable'.
Examples
Consumer spending on big-ticket durables like refrigerators and washing machines has slowed this quarter.
The report analyzes the market for non-durables, such as food and paper products, versus long-lasting durables.
During an economic downturn, households often postpone purchasing new durables.