characterizable
characterizable — adjective
- characterizablepositive
- more characterizablecomparative
- most characterizablesuperlative
1. able to be described in terms of its main qualities or typical features, so that
able to be described in terms of its main qualities or typical features, so that people can clearly say what kind of thing it is.
The new disease proved hard to treat because its symptoms were not easily characterizable.
not easily characterizable for something difficult to describe clearly
Yael argued that human emotions are too complex to be fully characterizable by a single test.
characterizable by [method] showing how something is described
Each rock layer was clearly characterizable as belonging to a different age of the Earth.
The committee found the writer's style readily characterizable by its short, sharp sentences.
The strange noise from the engine was not characterizable as any fault the mechanic knew.
- definable
more common; stresses giving an exact meaning rather than describing qualities
- describable
plainer and broader; just means able to be put into words
- classifiable
narrower; stresses being placed into a named group or category
- indefinable
common opposite; impossible to describe or pin down exactly
- indescribable
everyday opposite, often used for very strong feelings
文法句型
characterizable as [description]
easily/readily characterizable
用法筆記
Almost always used in formal or academic writing, and very often in the negative ('not easily characterizable') to say something resists a clear description. Frequently followed by 'as' (naming a category) or 'by' (naming the defining feature).