liability

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liability

  • /laɪəˈbɪlɪti/

Where it comes from

Etymology tree

English liable

Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂

Proto-Indo-European *-ts

Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts

Latin -itāsder.

Old French -itebor.

Middle English -ite

English -ity

English liability

From liable + -ity.

noun liabilities

  1. countable, uncountable An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone. "I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility," continued the other. "They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation."
  2. countable, uncountable Any kind of debt recorded on the right-hand side of a balance sheet.
  3. countable, uncountable A handicap that holds something back, a drawback, someone or something that is a burden to whoever is required to take care of them; a person or action that exposes others to greater risk. Asked if at some point Huma becomes a liability to Hillary, the long-term Clinton insider replies, “It’s like anything else. I don’t think so, but you know I don’t have any idea. Hillary is very loyal, but she’s obviously pragmatic.”
  4. countable, derogatory, informal, mildly, uncountable A person on a team that is more of a hindrance than a help. You're a bloody liability sometimes!
  5. countable, uncountable The likelihood of something happening.
  6. countable, uncountable The condition of being susceptible to something.

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