issuable

adjective

is·​su·​able ˈi-shü-ə-bəl 

1

: open to contest, debate, or litigation

2

: authorized for issue

bonds issuable under the merger terms

3

: possible as a result or consequence

issuably

ˈi-shü-ə-blē 

adverb

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 "authorized for issue" meaning that it most commonly has today. In making its home in the world of finance, issuable is carrying on a family tradition. In the early 14th century, its predecessor issue began being 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."

Synonyms

• arguable
• controvertible
• debatable
• disputable
• doubtable
• doubtful
• moot
• negotiable
• questionable

Examples of issuable in a Sentence

an issuable claim that the food additive causes cancer

Recent Examples on the Web

Treasury officials are able to invoke ‘’extraordinary measures’' to continue financing government activities up to a certain point, but without increasing the amount of issuable debt ‘’would probably run out of cash’' in October or November, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. —BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2021

Himle said that prior to the audit meeting, the police department had put together a plan to deal with the transfer of the thousands of re-issuable citations to the Municipal Court. —Vanessa Swales, Journal Sentinel, 10 May 2022

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Legal Definition

issuable

adjective

is·​su·​able ˈi-shü-ə-bəl 

1

: open to contest, debate, or litigation

an issuable fact

also : made on the merits and subject to dispute

an issuable plea

an issuable defense

2

: authorized for issue

bonds issuable under the merger terms