governable, a.
(ˈgʌvənəb(ə)l)
[f. govern v. + -able.]
Capable of being governed (in senses of the verb).
| 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. ii. §81 The earls of Essex and Holland.. were thought less governable by those councils. 1659 Gentl. Calling iv. iii. 400 They become more tame and governable ever after. 1664 Evelyn Sylva xxiii. 59 There is not a more tonsile and governable Plant in Nature. 1679 [see govern v. 1 d]. 1684 Otway Atheist i. (1735) 24 Will you promise me..to be very governable, and very civil. 1703 W. Dampier Voy. III. 111 The Ship was very governable, and Steer'd incomparably well. 1737 Bracken Farriery Impr. (1757) II. 81 He may prove mild and governable. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) II. 412 To keep him in ignorance, that he may be ductile and governable. 1819 R. Chapman Jas. VI, 127 Where the same religion is unanimously professed, the subjects are more governable and peaceable. 1880 G. Meredith Tragic Com. (1881) 185 Alvan in love was not likely to be governable by prudent counsel. |
Hence ˌgovernaˈbility, ˈgovernableness, the state or quality of being governable; ˈgovernably adv., in a governable manner.
| 1775 Ash, Governableness. 1853 Ruskin Stones Ven. II. App. xii. 393 By its perfect governableness it [oil-colour] permits the utmost possible fulness and subtlety in the harmonies of colour. 1863 P. S. Worsley Poems 12 The god Infused a soul more governably mild. 1872 Bagehot Physics & Pol. (1876) 25 We reckon, as the basis of our culture, upon an amount of order, of tacit obedience, of prescriptive governability. 1876 K. O'Meara F. Ordnam 267 He was a confirmed optimist in his estimate of the goodness and governableness of mankind in general. |