attractableadj.
/əˈtraktəbl/, U.S. /əˈtræktəbəl/ Able to be attracted (in various senses of attract v., esp. 1b).In quot. 1674 in sense ‘able to attract’, probably an error for ‘attractive’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > magnetism > [adjective] > capable of magnetic attraction
co-passionate1662
attractable1702
1674 T. Polwhele Of Ejaculatory Prayer vii. 141 For the sight of God is very attractable, it's the nature of the sight of God to draw the soul after him.]
1702 H. Lee Anti-scepticism iv. iv. 261 Cannot I be certain..that all which is call'd Iron, is attractable by a Loadstone?
1799 R. Kirwan Geol. Ess. 492 Contains no part attractable by the magnet.
1816 J. Scott Paris Revisited 341 An eye much more attractable..by the gaudier and fouler objects of notice than by the sober and more redeeming.
1856 W. S. Harris Treat. Frictional Electr. i. ii. 34 In the phenomena of electrical attraction and repulsion, bodies are first rendered attractable or repellent of each other by induction.
1879 F. Rutley Study of Rocks x. 157 A metallic globule..attractable by the magnet.
1905 Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia 57 898 A blackish-gray rather fine-grained powder, strongly attractable by the magnet.
2011 L. Lesley Light Rail Developers' Handbk. iii. 50 Car trips..will represent the largest and most attractable traffic potential.
Derivatives
aˈttractableness n. rare = attractability n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > [noun] > drawing towards itself or attraction > ability to be attracted
attractability1764
attractableness1863
1863 N. I. Lucas Englisch–Deutsches und Deutsch–Englisches Wörterbuch II. 133/2 Attractableness, attractability.
2008 Acta Entomologica Sinica 51 831 1,8-cineole always showed strong attractableness to female B. tabaci at five concentration levels.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
<
adj.1702