Peccable

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈpɛ.kə.bəl/

Definitions

Liable to make errors or mistakes | Capable of sinning or wrongdoing | Subject to moral failings or imperfections in character
Open to making errors or committing sins
Prone to moral failings and mistakes in judgment

Etymology: The adjective in question derives from the Latin root "peccare," which means "to sin" or "to commit a fault." This root also underlies the more familiar English word "impeccable," which conveys the sense of being "without sin" or "faultless." In contrast, the form under consideration here embraces the raw meaning of "liable to sin" or "capable of error." Tracing its lineage, the term entered English usage by way of Medieval Latin "peccabilis," meaning "liable to sin." This was formed by adding the suffix "-abilis," which denotes capability or susceptibility, to the verb "peccare." The adoption into English likely dates back to the late Middle Ages, a time when many moral and religious concepts were being articulated with precision in scholarly and theological discourse. Thus, the word carried a distinctly ethical or moral connotation, emphasizing human fallibility. Over time, this root gave rise to a family of words with contrasting senses: "impeccable" for faultless perfection, "peccable" for the capacity to err, and "peccadillo," which refers to a minor sin or slight offense. The nuanced spectrum of meaning here reflects an interesting linguistic phenomenon where a negated form (impeccable) is far more common, while the positive form (peccable) remains rare and marked. Today, the adjective is seldom used outside specialized or literary contexts, often overshadowed by its negation. Its rarity lends it a somewhat archaic or formal flavor, but it serves as a linguistic reminder that imperfection, error, and fallibility have long been recognized and labeled in the English-speaking tradition.

Synonyms: fallible, blameworthy, imperfect, errant, sinful

Antonyms: innocent, faultless, perfect, blameless, unimpeachable