Subornable: meaning, definitions and examples
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subornable
[ səˈbɔrnəbl ]
legal terminology
Subornable refers to the ability to induce someone to commit an unlawful act, particularly in a legal context where a person is persuaded to testify falsely or engage in criminal activities. It implies the potential to bribe or corrupt an individual to perform wrongful acts.
Synonyms
bribable, corruptible, exploitable, inflatable
Examples of usage
- The witness was considered subornable by the defense attorney.
- In the case, the prosecution claimed that the defendant had tried to find subornable witnesses.
- The investigation revealed several subornable individuals in the organization.
- Legal experts debated whether the witness could be seen as subornable.
- All subornable actions were documented for the trial.
Word origin
The word 'subornable' derives from the Latin verb 'subornare', which means 'to secretly induce someone to perform an unlawful act'. This Latin term is a compound of 'sub-', meaning 'under' or 'secretly', and 'ornare', meaning 'to equip or adorn'. The term evolved into the Middle English 'suborn', and it gained usage in legal contexts in the 16th century. The suffix '-able' was added to form 'subornable', indicating that it describes the capability of being suborned. The term is chiefly used in law, particularly in relation to bribery and corruption in testimonies, emphasizing the ethical implications of inducing someone to act against the law under coercion or promise of reward. Over centuries, as legal systems evolved, so did the understanding and implications of subornation, making this term a relevant aspect of discussions about legal integrity and lawful conduct.