enforceable
UK[ɪnˈfɔːsəbl]US[ɪnˈfɔːrsəbl]
adj
(of a law, rule, or agreement) capable of being made to obey or be carried out effectively.
Morpheme Breakdown
en
force
able
en
to put into
force
strength
able
capable of
Etymology
the word "enforceable" is built upon the verb "enforce", which entered english in the 14th century from old french "enforcier", meaning "to strengthen, force, or compel". this old french term itself combined the prefix "en-" (from latin "in-", meaning "in, into") with "force" (from latin "fortis", meaning "strong"). the suffix "-able", derived from latin "-abilis", was later added to form the adjective, indicating the capability of an action. thus, the literal construction "to put into strength" evolved into the modern legal sense of something, typically a rule or contract, that is capable of being compelled or made effective.
Analysis
Structure: en (to put into) + force (strength) + able (capable of)
- en: a prefix of latin origin via old french, meaning "to put into, to cause to be".
- force: a root of latin origin (fortis, meaning "strong").
- able: a suffix of latin origin (habilis, meaning "fit for, capable of").
Examples
the contract contained an enforceable clause requiring arbitration.
without clear penalties, the new regulations are not easily enforceable.
the court ruled that the agreement was legally enforceable.