forgivable
UK[fəˈɡɪvəbl]US[fərˈɡɪvəbl]
adj
able to be forgiven or excused; not too bad to be pardoned.
Morpheme Breakdown
forgiv
able
forgiv
e
able
capable of, fit for
Etymology
the word "forgivable" is a late middle english formation, built upon the existing verb "forgive." the core verb "forgive" itself originates from old english forgiefan, a compound of the prefix for- (here meaning "completely") and giefan ("to give"), thus carrying the literal sense of "to give completely" or "to grant." this evolved into the abstract concept of granting pardon or ceasing to hold resentment. the suffix "-able," borrowed via old french from the latin -abilis, is a productive adjectival suffix meaning "capable of." therefore, "forgivable" logically constructs the meaning "capable of being granted pardon," directly linking the ancient act of giving to the modern state of being excusable.
Analysis
Structure: forgiv(e) + able
forgiv(e) (from old english forgiefan, meaning "to give, grant, pardon") + able (from latin -abilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for").
Examples
his mistake was minor and entirely forgivable.
she found his forgetfulness annoying but ultimately forgivable.
the critic argued that no flaw in the artist's early work was unforgivable.