The quality of being responsible and answerable for one's actions, decisions, or their consequences; the obligation to explain or justify what one has done.
From 'account' (from Old French 'acompter,' to count) + '-ability' suffix. The word evolved from the literal sense of giving an account or reckoning of one's actions to the broader concept of being responsible for outcomes.
Break it down: you must give an 'ACCOUNT' of your actions - you're 'ABLE' to be held responsible! Think of a CEO who must account for company decisions to shareholders.
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