quotable

The word "quotable" is a relatively modern English formation, built upon the verb "quote." The verb "quote" originates from the Medieval Latin quotare, meaning "to mark with numbers" or "to number chapters," which itself derives from the Latin quotus, meaning "of what number" or "how many." This numerical sense evolved into the practice of citing specific, numbered passages from texts. The suffix "-able," of Latin origin via French, is productively attached to verbs to form adjectives meaning "capable of" the action. Therefore, the literal construction "capable of being cited" elegantly captures the modern abstract meaning of a statement being worthy of repetition or reference.

Structure: quot (to mark a number, to cite) + able (capable of, fit for) - quot: From Latin quotus (of what number, how many), via Middle English coten (to mark with numbers). In this word, it functions as the root meaning "to cite or refer to a passage." - able: From Latin -abilis (capable of, fit for), via Old French -able. In this word, it functions as an adjective-forming suffix meaning "capable of being."