retrievable
UK[rɪˈtriːvəbl]US[rɪˈtriːvəbl]
adj
Able to be retrieved or recovered.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
triev
able
re
again
triev
find
able
capable of
Etymology
The word "retrievable" is built upon the verb "retrieve," which entered English in the 15th century from the Anglo-French 'retreuver', itself from Old French 'retrover' (to find again). The core French element 'trouver' (to find) is of debated origin, possibly from a Vulgar Latin reconstruction 'tropare' meaning "to compose" or "to find." The prefix 're-' adds the fundamental sense of "back" or "again," creating the literal meaning "to find again." The suffix '-able', of Latin origin, is then attached to form the adjective, shifting the meaning from the action of recovering to the inherent quality of being capable of recovery.
Analysis
Structure: re (again) + triev (find) + able (capable of)
- re: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "again" or "back".
- triev: From the Anglo-French root 'trouver' (to find), entering English via the verb 'retrieve'.
- able: From Latin '-abilis', a suffix forming adjectives meaning "capable of, fit for, or worthy of".
Examples
The deleted files were stored in a backup system and were easily retrievable.
Ensuring that data is retrievable in an emergency is a key part of the IT strategy.
The satellite's black box was designed to be retrievable from the ocean floor.