amiable

views updated May 23 2018

a·mi·a·ble / ˈāmēəbəl/ • adj. having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner: an amiable, unassuming fellow.DERIVATIVES: a·mi·a·bil·i·ty / ˌāmēəˈbilitē/ n.a·mi·a·bly / -blē/ adv.a·mi·a·ble·ness n.ORIGIN: late Middle English (originally in the senses ‘kind’ and ‘lovely, lovable’): via Old French from late Latin amicabilis ‘amicable.’ The current sense, influenced by modern French aimable ‘trying to please,’ dates from the mid 18th cent.

amiable

views updated Jun 27 2018

amiable friendly (now only of temper, etc.), †lovable XIV; likeable XVIII. — (O)F. :- late L. amīcābilis AMICABLE. Later infl. in sense by F. aimable lovable :- L. amābilis; see -BLE.
Hence amiability XIX.

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