† ˈearable, a. Obs. exc. dial.
Forms: 5–7 erable, 5 errabull, 6–7 errable, (herabul), ereable, 6–7 earable.
[f. ear v.1 + -able.]
Capable of being ploughed; fit for tillage. Also absol. as quasi-n. Cf. arable.
| 1475 Caxton Jason (1477) 118 Good londe erable and fayr medowes plente. 1486 Bk. St. Albans E vj, On felde or in errabull londe. 1552 Huloet, Ereable, or rather arable lande. 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus' Germanie iii. (1622) 265 Their earable land they change by yeeres. 1693 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. 516 Earable, arabilis. |