Advertisement
possible (adj.)
"that may be, capable of existing, occurring, or being done," mid-14c., from Old French possible and directly from Latin possibilis "that can be done," from posse "be able" (see potent).
The only kind of object which in strict propriety of language can be called possible is the truth of a proposition ; and when a kind of thing is said to be possible, this is to be regarded as an elliptical expression, meaning that it is of such a general description that we do not know it does not exist. So an event or act is said to be possible, meaning that one would not know that it would not come to pass. But it is incorrect to use possible meaning practicable ; possible is what may be, not what can be. [Century Dictionary]
also from mid-14c.
Advertisement
Trends of possible
updated on September 12, 2020
Advertisement
Remove ads >
AdvertisementDictionary entries near possible
possessed
possession
possessive
posset
possibility
possible
possibly
POSSLQ
possum
post
post-
