transferable, a.
(ˈtrɑːnsfərəb(ə)l, ˈtræns-, -ˈfɜː-, -nz-)
[f. prec. + -able: cf. preferable, referable. See also transferrable.]
Capable of being transferred or legally made over to another; spec. of bills, drafts, cheques, etc.: assignable in the course of business from one person to another; negotiable.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. iii. 286 If we..fall upon consideration with what incongruity they are transferable unto others. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 149 ¶8 Take him in whom what you like is not transferable to another. 1874 Act 37 & 38 Vict. c. 3 §5 The debentures..shall be transferable by the delivery of such debentures. |
(b) transferable vote, (in systems of proportional representation) a vote that is transferred to a second or further competing candidate if the candidate for whom it is first cast is eliminated in one of the succession of counts or has more votes than are needed for election; esp. as single transferable vote (abbrev. S.T.V. s.v. S 4 a).
| 1885 W. E. Smith Fair Representation vi. 32 (heading) The single transferable vote. 1909 Westm. Gaz. 8 Mar. 2/1 The adoption of the single transferable vote system of proportional representation. 1954 B. & R. North tr. Duverger's Pol. Parties ii. iii. 358 We must distinguish between the result of proportional representation and the consequences of list-voting, which generally coincides with it (except in the transferable Irish vote). 1972 Guardian 19 June 10/4 Mr Whitelaw's reintroduction of the single transferable vote in Ulster local government is likely to please minority groups. |
Hence ˌtransferaˈbility, the quality of being transferable.
| 1776 Adam Smith W.N. iv. iii. II. 66 Its easy and safe transferability, its use in paying foreign bills of exchange. 1875 Poste Gaius iii. Comm. (ed. 2) 431 The complete transferability of obligations was unknown to jurisprudence. 1893 Nation (N.Y.) 25 May 390/1 We shall [in political economy] regard transferability as meaning exchangeability. |