sailableadj.
/ˈseɪləbl/, U.S. /ˈseɪləb(ə)l/ Now rare.
1. Of a ship, etc.: That can be sailed or navigated; that is in a condition to sail. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel with reference to qualities or attributes > [adjective] > fit to sail
sailable1663
1663 Marquis of Worcester Cent. Names & Scantlings Inventions §16 How to make a Sea-castle or Fortification Cannon-proof yet sailable at pleasure.
1698 Capt. Langford in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 20 410 If a Man keeps his Ship sailable.
2. Of the sea, a river, etc.: That can be sailed on, navigable.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > [adjective] > navigable
shippable1483
sailable1555
portative1570
portable1580
navigerous1656
voyageable1819
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > state of sea > [adjective] > navigable
sailable1555
wholesome1762
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. ix. 196 The Gerrites..dwell vpon the floude Boristhenes, about the place wher it becometh first saileable.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Navigable, nauigable, sailable, passable by shipping.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 56 The River which is Sailable round to Durmapatan.
1976 New Scientist 16 Dec. 646/2 A sailable expanse of water.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1909; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1555