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Which of the following words uses the Latin suffix -able in the same way as uncomfortable from paragraph 27 of Kindertransport?

A. table
B. unable
C. stable
D. uncharitable

User Myf
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D. uncharitable.

The suffix -able, borrowed from Old French and originally from the Latin -ābilis (meaning "worthy of being acted upon"), can have different meanings.

The most common one is "fit/liable to be (done)," as in:

  • likeable - fit to be liked
  • washable - fit to be washed
  • degradable - liable to be degraded.

This, however, does not apply to comfortable. Another meaning of -able, however, is "giving, or inclined to," as in:

  • comfortable - giving comfort
  • (un)charitable - (not) inclined to charity.
User Remo Gloor
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