accountability English · revision 14966

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1750}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/, US /əˌkaʊn.t̬əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[accountable]] and [[-ity]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The state of being answerable: 1750 in Merriam-Webster, 1770 in Etymonline, 1794 in the OED.^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ An earlier word was accountableness, from the 1660s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1660s – accountableness.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1750 – accountability.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1794 – liability to give account.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being accountable; responsibility and the duty to explain one's actions.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonaccountability]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[accountable]]

+ * [[account]]

+ * [[count]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}