liability
UK[ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti]US[ˌlaɪəˈbɪləti]
n
the state of being legally responsible for something
n
something that is owed to someone else, such as a debt or a duty
n
a person or thing that causes problems or is likely to be a disadvantage
Morpheme Breakdown
li
ability
li
to bind
ability
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'liability' is built upon the concept of being bound or tied to an obligation. Its core morpheme descends from the Latin 'ligare', meaning 'to bind', which is also the source of words like 'ligament' and 'obligation'. Entering English via Anglo-French in the late 16th century, it initially described the state of being legally bound or answerable for something. Over time, this literal sense of being bound expanded metaphorically to encompass any person or thing that poses a burden or disadvantage, much like a financial debt that binds one's resources.
Analysis
Structure: li (to bind) + ability (noun suffix)
'li' originates from the Latin verb 'ligare', meaning 'to bind'. 'ability' is a noun-forming suffix of Latin origin via French, indicating a state, condition, or quality.
Examples
The company accepted full liability for the accident.
His aggressive behavior is a major liability to the team.
The business has more liabilities than assets on its balance sheet.