Prosecutable: meaning, definitions and examples
⚖️
prosecutable
[ ˈprɒsɪkjʊtəbl ]
criminal law
Prosecutable refers to something that can be subjected to legal action in a court of law. In the context of criminal law, it denotes actions or offenses that can be prosecuted by the government. It implies that there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against an individual.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The crime is prosecutable under federal law.
- Officials determined that the evidence was prosecutable.
- The defendant's actions were deemed prosecutable.
Word origin
The term 'prosecutable' is derived from the noun 'prosecute', which itself comes from the Latin 'prosecutus', meaning 'to follow up or pursue'. The prefix 'pro-' connotes forward or in favor of, while 'sequi', meaning 'to follow', forms the basis of the root word. 'Prosecute' entered the English language in the late 14th century, primarily in legal contexts, indicating the act of pursuing legal action or a case in a court. Over time, the adjective 'prosecutable' emerged to describe any acts or offenses that can legitimately be taken to court. The evolution of the word reflects the development of legal systems and the increasing formalization of criminal justice processes.