ponderable, a. (n.)
(ˈpɒndərəb(ə)l)
[ad. late L. ponderābilis that may be weighed: see ponder v. and -able. Cf. F. pondérable (15–16th c. in Hatz.-Darm.).]
Capable of being weighed; having appreciable weight.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iii. xxvii. 177 If the bite of an Aspe will kill within an houre, yet the impression scarce visible, and the poyson communicated not ponderable. 1794 G. Adams Nat. & Exp. Philos. I. xi. 448 Water constitutes the ponderable part of all aeriform fluids. 1860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea (Low) ii. §120 All substances, whether ponderable or imponderable. 1881 Armstrong in Nature XXIV. 450/1 In the ponderable application of falling water in hydraulic machines. |
b. fig. Capable of being mentally weighed; appreciable.
| 1813 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. LXXI. 306 Still it is ponderable in the scales of criticism. 1884 Symonds Shaks. Pred. ix. 361 Any ponderable qualities of craftsmanship. |
B. as n. A substance or object having weight; pl. heavy articles.
| 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. viii. 85 Put out all our boats and filled them with ponderables alongside. |
Hence ponderaˈbility [= F. pondérabilité], ˈponderableness, weight, heaviness.
| 1846 Faraday Exp. Res. xlix. 368 Let us not be confused by the ponderability and gravitation of heavy matter. 1846 Worcester, Ponderableness. 1890 R. H. Hutton Newman v. (1891) 61 The ponderability of the atmosphere. |