Understandables

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. Things or statements capable of being comprehended or grasped mentally; elements that are clear or reasonable and can be easily interpreted or made sense of
  2. Concepts or expressions that can be mentally processed or interpreted; matters that are evident or justified enough to be accepted or acknowledged without confusion
  3. Items or ideas that can be readily apprehended or made intelligible; situations or remarks that are plausible or sensible enough to be reasonably recognized or accepted

Etymology: This plural noun stems from the adjective formed by combining the Old English prefix "under-" with the verb "stand," which itself comes from the Old English "standan," meaning "to stand, remain, or endure." The prefix "under-" in this context does not imply physical position but rather a figurative sense of "among, close to, or beneath the surface," suggesting a grasp or comprehension beneath the exterior of a matter. The adjective "understandable" emerged in English during the late Middle Ages, around the 15th century, as a way to describe something that could be grasped or comprehended by the mind. It is constructed by adding the suffix "-able," derived from Latin "-abilis," which conveys capability or suitability, to the verb "understand." Thus, the original sense encapsulates the quality of being able to be understood. Turning this adjective into a plural noun is a more modern and somewhat rare usage. By adding the English plural suffix "-s," the term refers collectively to things that are capable of being understood, or instances of understanding that are accessible or reasonable. This nominalization reflects a linguistic flexibility where adjectives can function as nouns to denote the abstract concept or countable examples of the described quality. While the root verb "understand" has ancient Germanic roots, the formation of "understandables" showcases how English readily forms new words by layering affixes to express nuanced meanings. This plural noun carries with it the historical echoes of "standing among" ideas until they become clear, a metaphorical standing that has evolved into the mental act of comprehension.