liable

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

• IPA^(key): /ˈlaɪ̯əbəl/, [ˈlaɪ̯əbɫ̩], [ˈlaɪ̯əbəɫ]

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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, 1973. § 34.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

     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.

   This crime is liable to imprisonment for life.

   A man liable to heart disease.

3. exposed to a certain contingency or causality, more or less probable.
4. (as predicate, with "to" and an infinitive) likely.

   Someone is liable to slip on your icy sidewalk.

• liability
• reliable

• Belial, Biella, alible, labile