Definition of tolerable

The word "tolerable" originates from the Late Middle English language, during the 14th century. It is a compound word that combines the Latin prefix "tolere," meaning "to bear," and the Latin verb " legere," meaning "to prefer" or "to choose." In its early usage, "tolerable" referred to a legal concept called "toleratio," which was the condonation of acts normally considered as unlawful. This concept was common in the Catholic Church's practice of tolerating religious beliefs that differed from its own orthodoxy. In the 16th century, the term "tolerable" acquired a wider meaning, denoting the sense of being "able to be endured" or "not intolerable." This sense of acceptability or bearability has continued to define the term's modern-day usage. Overall, while the word "tolerable" has evolved in its meaning over time, its Latin origins and underlying legal and religious concepts are still apparent today. It is a commonly used word that has become a part of the English vocabulary, representing an acceptable, not excessively objectionable, or undesirable experience or situation.