Answerable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Legal Context

• In legal terms, being answerable often implies a duty to explain or account for one's actions, especially in court.
• The idea of answerability is critical in law; individuals can be held accountable for their decisions and actions.
• Organizations can also be answerable to stakeholders, having to justify their business practices and decisions.

Educational Perspective

• Teachers often expect students to be answerable for their learning, encouraging responsibility in education.
• Answerability in education promotes a culture of inquiry, where students are encouraged to ask and respond to questions.
• In team projects, being answerable enhances cooperation, as each member knows they must share their contributions.

Philosophical Debate

• Philosophers discuss answerability in terms of moral responsibility, considering whether individuals must answer for their actions.
• In ethical debates, answerability reflects our obligation to justify our choices to society or to ourselves.
• The concept raises questions about free will and determinism, exploring whether we can be answerable for actions beyond our control.

Cultural Reflections

• Different cultures have varying expectations regarding answerability, influencing leadership and interpersonal relationships.
• In some cultures, being answerable is associated with honor and integrity, reflecting personal values.
• Cultural narratives often depict heroes as answerable for their deeds, underlining the importance of accountability in society.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'answerable' comes from the Old French word 'respondre,' which means 'to respond.'
• It combines the word 'answer' with the suffix 'able,' meaning capable of or suitable for.
• The concept of being answerable has been around since the 15th century in the English language, linking accountability with communication.

The word 'answerable' originated from the Middle English word 'ansurable', which is derived from the Old French word 'anseurer', meaning 'to be responsible for'. The term has evolved over time to encompass both the idea of being accountable and capable of being answered or explained.

See also: answerability, answerably, answerer, answerers.

With rank #15,609, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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