intelligible
UK[ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəb(ə)l]US[ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəb(ə)l]
adj
able to be understood; clear enough to be heard or read.
Morpheme Breakdown
intel
lig
ible
intel
between, among
lig
to choose, gather, read
ible
able to be
Etymology
the word intelligible originates from the latin 'intelligibilis', which is derived from the verb 'intelligere', meaning 'to understand'. this verb itself is a compound of 'inter-' (between, among) and 'legere' (to choose, gather, read), conveying the original sense of 'to choose between' or 'to discern'. the suffix '-ibilis' forms an adjective meaning 'able to be'. thus, the literal construction 'able to be discerned among (options)' evolved into the modern abstract meaning of being clear and comprehensible. it entered english via old french in the late 14th century, solidifying its meaning as something that can be readily understood by the mind.
Analysis
Structure: intel + lig + ible
intel (latin: 'inter', meaning 'between, among'), lig (latin: 'legere', meaning 'to choose, gather, read'), ible (latin suffix '-ibilis', meaning 'able to be').
Examples
the audio recording was poor, making the speaker's words barely intelligible.
she presented the complex scientific data in an intelligible manner for the general public.
the ancient manuscript was faded but still largely intelligible to the expert linguists.