Attributable

/əˈtrɪbjətəbəl/ adjective

Definition

Able to be explained by or connected to something as its cause or source; able to be assigned to someone.

Etymology

From 'attribute' (Latin 'attributus') plus '-able' suffix meaning 'capable of.' This adjective form indicates something can reasonably be traced back to a cause.

Kelly Says

When scientists say a disease is 'attributable to' pollution, they're saying they can trace it back to pollution as the cause. It's a careful word—used in law, medicine, and research when you need to prove something is genuinely caused by something else.

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