Weakable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Able to be made weaker in strength, force, or effectiveness by outside influence or wear
2. Describing something that can be reduced in power, durability, or resilience through pressure or time
3. Susceptible to having its strength or potency lessened by external forces or circumstances

Etymology: "Weakable" is a plain English formation: the adjective "weak" plus the suffix "-able," meaning "capable of being." It is a rare word, so it has no notable first-recorded usage or dramatic semantic shift to report. Its meaning follows directly from its parts: something that can be weakened, or made weak. The suffix "-able" came into English through Old French "-able," itself from Latin "-abilis," a form used to make adjectives meaning "able to be" or "fit for" an action. Attaching it to a native Old English adjective like "weak," from Old English "wac," is a productive pattern that English speakers have used for centuries, following models such as "breakable" and "washable."