tangible
Meaning
Able to be perceived by touch; physically real.
Clear and definite; real, not imaginary.
Structure
Usage
The tension in the room was almost tangible.
We need tangible evidence before proceeding.
The benefits of the new policy are not yet tangible.
Etymology
The word 'tangible' originates from the Late Latin tangibilis, itself derived from the Latin verb tangere, meaning 'to touch'. The core root tag-/tang- can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root teh₂g-, which carried the sense of touching or handling. The suffix -ibilis is a productive Latin adjectival suffix indicating capability. Therefore, the literal construction 'able to be touched' evolved naturally into the modern abstract meanings of 'physically real' and 'clear and definite', contrasting with intangible concepts.
Analysis
- tang: From Latin tangere (to touch). This root appears in the English spelling as 'tang'. - ible: A suffix from Latin -ibilis, meaning 'able to be', forming adjectives.