An"swer*a*ble (#), a.

1.

Obliged to answer; liable to be called to account; liable to pay, indemnify, or make good; accountable; amenable; responsible; as, an agent is answerable to his principal; to be answerable for a debt, or for damages.

Will any man argue that . . . he can not be justly punished, but is answerable only to God? Swift.

2.

Capable of being answered or refuted; admitting a satisfactory answer.

The argument, though subtle, is yet answerable. Johnson.

3.

Correspondent; conformable; hence, comparable.

What wit and policy of man is answerable to their discreet and orderly course? Holland.

This revelation . . . was answerable to that of the apostle to the Thessalonians. Milton.

4.

Proportionate; commensurate; suitable; as, an achievement answerable to the preparation for it.

5.

Equal; equivalent; adequate.

[Archaic]

Had the valor of his soldiers been answerable, he had reached that year, as was thought, the utmost bounds of Britain. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.

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