tractable
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\n \n Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for June 10, 2024 is:\n \n
\n \n\n tractable • \\TRAK-tuh-bul\\ • adjective
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Tractable is used to describe someone or something that is easily led, managed, taught, or controlled.
\n\n// This new approach should make the problem more tractable.
\n\n// The horse\u2019s tractable temperament made her especially popular with new riders.
\n\n\n \n \n\n Examples:
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\u201c\u2026 Kawasaki\u2019s popular KLR650 \u2026 only makes about 40 horsepower, yet it has launched untold numbers of epic rides due to its reliable, tractable and manageable output.\u201d \u2014 William Roberson, Forbes, 30 Sept. 2022
\n \n \n\n Did you know?
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A frequentative is a form of a verb that indicates repeated action. The frequentative of the word sniff, for example, is sniffle, meaning \u201cto sniff repeatedly.\u201d Some English words come from a frequentative in another language, and tractable is one. Tractable, meaning \u201ceasily led or managed,\u201d comes from the Latin adjective tractabilis, which in turn comes from the verb tractare, which has various meanings including \u201cto drag about,\u201d \u201cto handle,\u201d \u201cto deal with,\u201d and \u201cto treat.\u201d Not to drag on too much about Latin, but tractare is the frequentative of another Latin verb, trahere, meaning \u201cto drag or pull.\u201d Now, one can pull or tug a draft animal on a lead, for example, whether or not that animal is willing or compliant. But if one can pull, handle, or otherwise deal with that animal repeatedly or continuously with ease (by treating it well, we presume)? Well, you can see where this is leading\u2014in English we would call our helpful animal friend tractable. Speaking of farms, despite its resemblance, tractor did not pass through the frequentative tractare but it does come from trahere.
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