Conductible

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Able to allow heat, electricity, or sound to pass through or along its material
2. Having the physical property of transmitting thermal energy, electrical current, or acoustic waves
3. Permitting the flow or transmission of heat, electric charge, or sound waves through its substance

Etymology: "Conductible" is a plain formation: the verb "conduct" with the suffix "-ible," meaning "capable of being" something. The suffix descends from Latin "-bilis," which was attached to verb stems to mean "able to be done" or "fit for," as in "credibilis" (believable) from "credere" (to believe). Latin "-bilis" passed into Old French as "-ible," then into Middle English as "-ible," and English speakers went on to attach it to many verbs and make new words with it. The verb "conduct" itself comes from Latin "conducere," meaning "to lead together" or "to bring together," built from "com-" (together) and "ducere" (to lead). "Conductible" therefore describes something that can be led, carried, or transmitted through a medium. Its use is mainly in physics and engineering, where it describes materials able to carry heat or electricity.

Synonyms: conductive, conducting

Antonyms: non-conductive, insulating