liable
UK[ˈlaɪəbl̩]US[ˈlaɪəbəl]
adj
Legally responsible for something, especially for paying money or making good a loss.
adj
Likely to do or be something.
Morpheme Breakdown
li
able
li
to bind
able
capable of
Etymology
The word liable originates from the Anglo-French lier, meaning "to bind," which itself derives from the Latin verb ligare, sharing a root with words like ligament and obligation. The suffix -able, from Latin -abilis, indicates a capacity or tendency. Thus, the literal sense is "capable of being bound," which evolved into the legal concept of being bound by responsibility. Over time, this core idea of being subject to or exposed to something extended to produce the modern secondary meaning of "likely" to experience or do something.
Analysis
Structure: li (to bind) + able (capable of)
li: from Latin ligare (to bind). able: from Latin -abilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, tending to".
Examples
The company is liable for any damages caused by its products.
He is liable to forget his keys if he's in a hurry.
Under the new law, parents can be held liable for their children's actions.