Representable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Able to be shown, described, or symbolized in some form
2. Possible to portray or express through words, images, or symbols
3. Capable of being represented visually, verbally, or by other means

Etymology: Representable is a straightforward formation: the adjective "represent" plus the suffix "-able," meaning "capable of being." So the word's real interest lies in its parts. "Represent" came into English from Old French "representer," itself from Latin "repraesentare," meaning to bring something before someone or to make present again, built from "re-" (again) and "praesentare" (to place before, make present). The Latin root "praesens" meant "present, at hand," which is why a representation makes something absent appear before the mind or eye. The suffix traces back to Latin "-ābilis," meaning "able to be," which passed through Old French "-able" into Middle English. English speakers attached it freely to verbs, so "representable" is simply "able to be represented."

Synonyms: depictable, illustrable, portrayable, exemplifiable, demonstrable

Antonyms: indescribable, unrepresentable, ineffable, unillustrable, abstract