DictionaryRoot: -abilis
Latin
-abilis
able to be; fit for
Forms
- -abilis
- -able — English ending developed through French.
Origin
Latin verb-stem vowel -a- plus -bilis, a suffix expressing capacity or suitability.
Note
Once borrowed, English attached this ending freely to its own words.
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adjective
inestimable
in-ESS-tuh-muh-bul/ɪnˈestɪməbl/
Too great or valuable to be measured.
Etymology
The pieces express something that cannot be appraised or calculated. Applied to precious things, this became praise: their value is too great to put a price on.
Related word entries
- abominable
- acceptable
- admirable
- adorable
- affable
- amiable
- amicable
- appreciable
- arable
- capable
- commendable
- communicable
- comparable
- considerable
- culpability
- culpable
- damnable
- delectable
- demonstrable
- despicable
- detestable
- dispensable
- durability
- durable
- estimable
- excusable
- execrable
- explicable
- favorable
- formidable
- friable
- habitable
- hospitable
- imaginable
- immeasurable
- immutability
- immutable
- impeccable
- impenetrable
- impermeable
- incomparable
- inconsolable
- incurable
- indispensable
- indisputable
- indomitable
- indubitable
- ineluctable
- inestimable
- inevitable
- inexcusable
- inexorable
- inexplicable
- inflammable
- inimitable
- innumerable
- insatiable
- inscrutable
- inseparable
- insuperable
- insupportable
- interminable
- intolerable
- intractable
- inviolable
- invulnerable
- irrefutable
- irreparable
- irrevocable
- irritable
- lamentable
- laudable
- malleable
- measurable
- memorabilia
- memorable
- mutable
- navigable
- notable
- observable
- palpable
- permeable
- portable
- potable
- reasonable
- revocable
- separable
- sociability
- sociable
- tolerable
- tractable
- variable
- vegetable
- venerable
- vulnerable