Where does “countermandable” come from?
countermandable (English) comes from English able, from Middle English able, from Old French able, from Latin habilis, from Latin -ilis, from Proto-Italic -elis, from Proto-Indo-European -elis, from Proto-Indo-European -lós — Forms agent nouns from verbal roots.
countermandable (English): Capable of being countermanded
Definitions
- Capable of being countermanded
Ancestry of “countermandable”, step by step
countermandable traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English able
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | able | Easy to use; Suitable; competent; Liable to |
| 2 | Middle English | able | capable, expert, qualified, skilful, competent |
| 3 | Old French | able | able; capable |
| 4 | Latin | habilis | able to have/possess/maintain; having sufficient... |
| 5 | Latin | -ilis | -ile |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | -elis | — |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | -elis | — |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | -lós | Forms agent nouns from verbal roots |
via English countermand
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | countermand | To revoke (a former command); to cancel or rescind by giving an order contrary to one previously given |
| 2 | Old French | contremander | to countermand |
| 3 | Medieval Latin | contramando | — |
| 4 | Latin | mandō | to order, command, enjoin |
| 5 | Latin | manus | hand; bravery, valor; violence, fighting |
| 6 | Proto-Italic | manus | hand |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | man- | human being; man; hand |