▪ I. † imˈprovable, a.1 Obs. rare.
Also improveable.
[f. improve v.1 + -able.]
Capable of being disproved or refuted; to be censured or condemned.
| 1604 N. D. 3rd Pt. Three Convers. Eng. 411 They were ashamed to bring forth so improueable a testimony. 1713 J. Warder True Amazons 17 His Brain..hath brought forth these improvable Maggots into the World. |
▪ II. improvable, a.2
(ɪmˈpruːvəb(ə)l)
Also improveable.
[f. improve v.2 + -able.]
Capable of being improved; susceptible of improvement.
1. Capable of being turned to profit or account; that may be taken advantage of, or used profitably; serviceable. Now rare.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. xii. 338 The assayes of weaker heads affords oftentimes improveable hints unto better. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. v. v. (1848) 314, I think it a less improvable Prerogative, to be able to coyn any Metal into mony, or call it in at pleasure. 1692 W. Sherlock Fut. Judgem. 316 Every thing that is improveable to the service and glory of God, is a talent. a 1734 North Lives (1826) II. 8 Finding this project of a penny-post turn out so well, and apparently improvable. 1799 Southey Lett. (1856) I. 74 When I go over the houses I shall see how improvable they are. |
2. Of land (orig. a specific use of 1, passing into sense 3): Capable of being profitably cultivated; adapted for cultivation; capable of being made better or more productive by cultivation.
| 1659 Gentl. Calling (1696) 27 Though a rich, yet still such an improvable Soil, as will encourage and reward his Husbandry. 1677 W. Hubbard Narrative (1865) II. 72 All the Land improvable for such Uses, being already taken up. 1701 Lond. Gaz. No. 3720/4 The Premisses (which are very Improvable by Limestone on the Place). 1712 Addison Spect. No. 549 ¶3, I have got a fine spread of improveable lands. 1799 J. Robertson Agric. Perth 245 After all, improveable is an indefinite term; and the last generation thought many spots unworthy of culture, which we now see converted into good arable land. 1813 G. Edwards Meas. True Pol. 25 The improveable land of the whole Kingdom. |
3. Capable of being made better; that may be brought into a higher or more desirable condition.
| 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. i. ii. 68 With Moral principles inherent in his Nature, and improvable by the exercise of his Faculties. 1712 W. Rogers Voy. App. 56 Maps and Sea-Draughts are always improvable. a 1716 South Serm. (1717) IV. 81 Here is indeed something improveable into a bright and a noble Perfection. 1870 Black Kilmeny (1877) 284, I should not offer you the advice if I did not think you were improvable. |
Hence imˈprovably a., in a manner that admits of improvement.
| 1755 in Johnson. 1818 in Todd, and in mod. Dicts. |