employable

The word 'employable' is built upon the verb 'employ', which entered English from Old French 'emploier', meaning "to use, apply." This French term derives from Latin 'implicare', a compound of the prefix 'in-' (into) and the verb 'plicare' (to fold). The original Latin sense was literal, "to fold into" or "to involve," which evolved metaphorically to mean "to engage in an activity." The suffix '-able', of Latin origin, was added to form an adjective meaning "capable of being engaged or involved in work." Thus, the modern abstract meaning of 'employable' logically flows from its roots: one who is "capable of being folded into" or "involved in" the workforce.

Structure: em (in) + ploy (fold, involve) + able (capable of) - em: A prefix of Latin origin (from 'in-'), meaning "in, into, on." In this context, it signifies "to put into" a state or condition. - ploy: A root from Latin 'plicare', meaning "to fold, to involve." It carries the sense of engaging or entangling something. - able: A suffix of Latin origin ('-abilis'), forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, or worthy of" the action of the verb.