receivable
UK[rɪˈsiːvəbl]US[rɪˈsiːvəbl]
adj
Awaiting payment; not yet paid.
n
(usually receivables) A business asset comprising amounts of money owed by customers for goods or services supplied on credit.
Morpheme Breakdown
receiv
able
receiv
e) (to take
able
capable of
Etymology
The word 'receivable' is built upon the verb 'receive', which originates from the Latin 'recipere', a compound of 're-' (back) and 'capere' (to take). The core concept is of taking something back or accepting something offered. The suffix '-able', of Latin origin via French, attaches to verbs to create adjectives meaning "capable of being [verbed]." Therefore, 'receivable' literally means "capable of being received." In financial terminology, this evolved to specifically describe a debt or payment that is legally due and therefore capable of being received by the creditor, crystallizing as an accounting term for an outstanding but expected asset.
Analysis
Structure: receiv(e) (to take) + able (capable of)
'receive' is from Anglo-French 'receivre', Old French 'receivre', from Latin 'recipere' (to take back, regain, accept). 'able' is a suffix from Old French '-able', from Latin '-abilis', forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, or worthy of."
Examples
The company's accounts receivable have increased significantly this quarter.
The invoice is receivable within 30 days of the date issued.
They reviewed the aging report to manage their receivables more effectively.