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Webster 1913 Edition


Personable

Per′son-a-ble

(pẽr′sŭn-ȧ-b’l)
,
Adj.
1.
Having a well-formed body, or person; graceful; comely; of good appearance; presentable;
as, a
personable
man or woman
.
Wise, warlike,
personable
, courteous, and kind.
Spenser.
The king, . . . so visited with sickness, was not
personable
.
E. Hall.
2.
(Law)
(a)
Enabled to maintain pleas in court.
Cowell.
(b)
Having capacity to take anything granted.

Webster 1828 Edition


Personable

PER'SONABLE

,
Adj.
Having a well formed body or person; graceful; of good appearance; as a personable man or woman.
1.
In law, enabled to maintain pleas in court.
2.
Having capacity to take any thing granted or given.
[The two latter senses, I believe, are little used.]

Definition 2024


personable

personable

English

Alternative forms

  • personible (obsolete)
  • parsonable (obsolete)

Adjective

personable (comparative more personable, superlative most personable)

  1. (of a person) Having a pleasing appearance or manner; attractive; handsome; friendly; amiable.
    • Spenser
      Wise, warlike, personable, courteous, and kind.
    • 1822, Sir Walter Scott, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. 19:
      I admit him a personable man, for I have seen him; and I will suppose him courteous and agreeable.
    • 1908, E. M. Forster, A Room With a View, ch. 12:
      Barefoot, bare-chested, radiant and personable against the shadowy woods, he called: "Hullo, Miss Honeychurch! Hullo!"
    • 1919, Joseph A. Altsheler. The Sun Of Quebec, ch. 5:
      I'm bound to admit that you're a personable young rascal, with the best manners I've met in a long time.
    • 2009, Randy James, "2-Min. Bio: Stephanie Birkitt: Letterman's Lover?," Time, 5 Oct.:
      Aside from being incredibly funny and personable he is generous, kind and is great fun to play catch with.
  2. (law) Enabled to maintain pleas in court.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Cowell to this entry?)
  3. Having capacity to take anything granted.

Translations