liability English · revision 7276

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1705}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /laɪəˈbɪlɪti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from [[liable]] and [[-ity]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In law, the condition of being liable or answerable: 1790 in Etymonline, 1794–1809 in the OED;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) MWU dates it to 1705.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense, being liable or subject to something, is from 1809.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) That for which one is liable, especially debts or financial obligations, is from 1842.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Limited liability'', responsibility for a company's debts only to a fixed amount, is from 1855.^(OED 1989) A trait or person that puts one at a disadvantage is from 1938.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1705 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1790 – legal responsibility.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1809 – being liable to something.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1842 – a debt.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1855 – limited liability.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1938 – a disadvantage.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being legally responsible for something.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(usually plural)'' A debt or financial obligation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person or thing that causes trouble or puts one at a disadvantage.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The likelihood of being affected by something: ''liability to disease''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonliability]]

+ * [[limited liability]]

+ * [[strict liability]]

+ * [[liability insurance]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[liable]]

+ * [[ligament]]

+ * [[rely]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}