scalable

the word 'scalable' is a modern english formation built upon the older verb 'scale', which traces its lineage to the latin noun 'scala', meaning a ladder or flight of stairs. the core concept of climbing or ascending inherent in 'scala' was metaphorically extended in english to encompass the idea of measuring or graduating according to a scale, and later, to the concept of increasing in size or capacity. by adding the productive suffix '-able', derived from latin '-abilis', the adjective 'scalable' was created to denote the capacity for such climbing or, in its predominant contemporary usage, the capability of a system to be expanded efficiently.

Structure: scale (to climb) + able (capable of) scale (from latin scala, meaning 'ladder' or 'staircase', functioning as the core verb root). able (from latin -abilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'capable of, fit for', functioning as a derivational suffix).