LIABLE
liable, apt(p)
(adjective) at risk of or subject to experiencing something usually unpleasant; “he is apt to lose”; “she is liable to forget”
liable
(adjective) held legally responsible; “men between the ages of 18 and 35 were liable for military service”
liable
(adjective) subject to legal action; “liable to criminal charges”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
liable (comparative more liable, superlative most liable)
bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable.
subject; susceptible.
exposed to a certain contingency or causality, more or less probable.
(as predicate, with "to" and an infinitive) likely.
Anagrams
• Belial, Biella, alible, labile
Source: Wiktionary
Li"a*ble, a. Etym: [From F. lier to bind, L. ligare. Cf. Ally, v. t.,
Ligature.]
1. Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible; answerable; as,
the surety is liable for the debt of his principal.
2. Exposed to a certain contingency or casualty, more or less
probable; -- with to and an infinitive or noun; as, liable to slip;
liable to accident.
Syn.
– Accountable; responsible; answerable; bound; subject; obnoxious;
exposed.
– Liable, Subject. Liable refers to a future possible or probable
happening which may not actually occur; as, horses are liable to
slip; even the sagacious are liable to make mistakes. Subject refers
to any actual state or condition belonging to the nature or
circumstances of the person or thing spoken of, or to that which
often befalls one. One whose father was subject to attacks of the
gout is himself liable to have that disease. Men are constantly
subject to the law, but liable to suffer by its infraction.
Proudly secure, yet liable to fall. Milton.
All human things are subject to decay. Dryden.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition