liable

From Old French lier (“to bind”), from Latin ligare (“to bind, to tie”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈlaɪ̯əbəl/, ,

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -aɪəbəl

liable (comparative more liable, superlative most liable)

1. Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.

   The surety is liable for the debt of his principal.

   • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral., London: Oxford University Press, published 1973, § 34:
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A Millar, , →OCLC:

     He inveighed against the folly of making oneself liable for the debts of others; vented many bitter execrations against the brother; and concluded with wishing something could be done for the unfortunate family.
     The passion for philosophy, like that for religion, seems liable to this inconvenience

2. Subject; susceptible; prone.

   This crime is liable to imprisonment for life.

   A man liable to heart disease.

   • 1791, John Walker, A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary ‎, London: Sold by G. G. J. and J. Robinſon, Paternoſter Row; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, →OCLC, page 211:

     ☞ This word [earth] is liable to a coarſe vulgar pronunciation, as if written Urth; […]

3. Exposed to a certain contingency or causality, more or less probable.

   (Can we add an example for this sense?)

4. (predicative, with to-infinitive) Likely.

   Someone is liable to slip on your icy sidewalk.

• liability
• reliable

• Belial, Biella, alible, labile