Obtainables

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Things that can be acquired or procured through effort or by meeting specific conditions ; items, resources, or opportunities that are accessible or attainable by someone ; entities or goods that are capable of being secured or gained under certain circumstances
2. Objects or advantages that may be possessed or reached through action or means ; possessions or benefits that are obtainable or within reach ; materials or prospects that can be achieved or collected with appropriate attempts
3. Articles, assets, or outcomes that are capable of being gotten or secured ; anything that can be accessed, obtained, or won by an individual ; supplies or rewards that may be acquired given certain efforts or qualifications

Etymology: This noun is formed by adding the suffix "-ables" to the verb "obtain," creating a plural form that denotes things that can be obtained. The verb "obtain" entered English around the late 15th century, derived from the Old French "obtenir," which itself comes from the Latin "obtinere." The Latin root combines "ob-" meaning "over" or "against" and "tenere," meaning "to hold," giving a sense of "holding onto" or "gaining possession." The suffix "-able" has its origins in Latin "-abilis," typically used to form adjectives indicating capability or worthiness. In English, adding "-able" to a verb forms an adjective meaning "capable of being" or "fit to be" the action described. Over time, some of these adjectives have been nominalized to refer to things described by the adjective, and when pluralized, they indicate multiple entities with that quality. Thus, the term evolved to refer to multiple items that are capable of being obtained. While the base verb has a straightforward history, the plural noun form is less common and somewhat specialized, often used in contexts discussing commodities, goods, or abstract items that are attainable. The construction follows a pattern seen in English where adjectives with "-able" are nominalized to represent objects or concepts possessing the stated property, as in "wearables" or "durables." This term likely emerged in modern English usage as commerce, technology, and legal language expanded to discuss categories of items defined by their accessibility or availability. Its formation reflects the flexibility of English in turning verbs into adjectives and then into plural nouns to suit nuanced descriptive needs.

Synonyms: availables, accessible items

Antonyms: unobtainables, unavailable items