liable: [15] Today’s main meaning of liable, ‘likely to’, is a comparatively recent development. Its primary sense is ‘legally bound or obliged’ (as in ‘liable for someone else’s debts’), which goes right back to the word’s ultimate source, Latin ligāre ‘tie’. Its Old French descendant lier is assumed to have give rise to an Anglo-Norman derivative *liable, literally ‘bindable’, which English took over.
Other English words that come ultimately from ligāre include ally, liaison [17], lien [16] (etymologically a ‘bond’), ligament [14], ligature [14], oblige, religion, and rely. => ally, liaison, lien, ligament, ligature, oblige, religion, rely
liable (adj.)
mid-15c., "bound or obliged by law," probably from Anglo-French *liable, from Old French lier "to bind, tie up, fasten, tether; bind by obligation," from Latin ligare "to bind, to tie" (see ligament). With -able. General sense of "exposed to" (something undesirable) is from 1590s. Incorrect use for "likely" is attested by 1886.
双语例句
1. Offenders will be liable to a seven-year prison term.
违犯者可判处7年监禁。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Educational practice is liable to sudden swings and changes.
教学实践中经常会出现突然的变化与改革。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Such a figure is liable to be attacked as a blasphemer.
这样的人很容易被人抨击为亵渎神明。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Tenants remain liable if they pass on their lease.
如果房客将房子转租，他们仍承担责任。
来自柯林斯例句
5. You know you are liable to be cross-examined mercilessly about the assault.
