excusable
UK[ɪkˈskjuːzəbl]US[ɪkˈskjuːzəbl]
adj
Able to be forgiven or tolerated because there is a good reason for it.
Morpheme Breakdown
ex
cus
able
ex
out
cus
cause, reason
able
capable of
Etymology
The word 'excusable' originates from the Latin verb excusare, meaning "to free from blame, to excuse," which itself is a compound of ex- ("out of") and causa ("accusation, cause, reason"). The literal sense was "to remove the cause (of blame)." This concept passed through Old French excuser before entering Middle English. The suffix -able was then added to the verb stem, shifting the meaning from the act of freeing from blame to the quality of being capable of being forgiven. Thus, the modern abstract meaning retains the core logic of a fault being "out from" or removed from the realm of culpability due to a justifying reason.
Analysis
Structure: ex (out) + cus (cause, reason) + able (capable of)
- ex: Latin origin, meaning "out of, from". A prefix indicating removal or release.
- cus: From Latin causa, meaning "cause, reason, motive". This form is a variant spelling adapted into English.
- able: From Latin -abilis, via Old French, meaning "capable of, fit for". A suffix forming adjectives.
Examples
His lateness was excusable given the severe weather conditions.
Making a few minor mistakes on your first day is perfectly excusable.
There is no excusable reason for such deliberate negligence.