issuable

Did You Know?

Although "issuable" now tends to appear in financial contexts (such as in reference to shares that are eligible to be issued, or made available, according to a company's articles of incorporation), it was originally used in the late 16th century as a legal term: an issuable matter was one that was open to contest, debate, or litigation. Within a century, though, the word had taken on the meaning that it most commonly has today, "authorized for issue." In making its home in the world of finance, "issuable" is carrying on a family tradition. In the early 14th century, its predecessor "issue" was used in plural to refer to proceeds from a source of revenue, such as an estate. "Issue" itself traces back to Latin exire, meaning "to go out."