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Webster 1913 Edition


Responsible

Re-spon′si-ble

(r?-sp?n′s?-b’l)
,
Adj.
[Cf. F.
responsable
. See
Respond
.]
1.
Liable to respond; likely to be called upon to answer; accountable; answerable; amenable;
as, a guardian is
responsible
to the court for his conduct in the office
.
2.
Able to respond or answer for one’s conduct and obligations; trustworthy, financially or otherwise;
as, to have a
responsible
man for surety
.
3.
Involving responsibility; involving a degree of accountability on the part of the person concerned;
as, a
responsible
office
.
Syn. – Accountable; answerable; amenable.
Re-spon′si-ble-ness
,
Noun.
Re-spon′si-bly
,
adv.

Webster 1828 Edition


Responsible

RESPONS'IBLE

,
Adj.
[from L. responsus, respondeo.]
1.
Liable to account; accountable; answerable; as for a trust reposed, or for a debt. We are all responsible for the talents entrusted to us by our Creator. A guardian is responsible for the faithful discharge of his duty to his ward. The surety is responsible for the debt of his principal.
2.
Able to discharge an obligation; or having estate adequate to the payment of a debt. In taking bail, the officer will ascertain whether the proposed surety is a responsible man.

Definition 2024


responsible

responsible

English

Adjective

responsible (comparative more responsible, superlative most responsible)

  1. Answerable for an act performed or for its consequences; accountable; amenable, especially legally or politically.
    • 2012 March 1, William E. Carter, Merri Sue Carter, “The British Longitude Act Reconsidered”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 87:
      But was it responsible governance to pass the Longitude Act without other efforts to protect British seamen? Or might it have been subterfuge—a disingenuous attempt to shift attention away from the realities of their life at sea.
    Parents are responsible for their child's behaviour.
  2. Capable of responding to any reasonable claim; able to answer reasonably for one's conduct and obligations; capable of rational conduct.
  3. Involving responsibility; involving a degree of personal accountability on the part of the person concerned.
    She has a responsible position in the firm.
  4. Being a primary cause or agent of some event or action; capable of being credited for something, or of being held liable for something.
    Who is responsible for this mess?
  5. Able to be trusted; reliable; trustworthy.
    He looks like a responsible guy.

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  • responsible in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • responsible in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913