| Text |
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary af·fa·ble \\ˈa-fə-bəl\\ adjective ETYMOLOGY Middle English affabyl, from Anglo-French, from Latin affabilis, from affari to speak to, from ad- + fari to speak — more at ban
DATE 15th century
1. being pleasant and at ease in talking to others an affable host2. characterized by ease and friendliness an affable mannerSynonyms: see gracious • af·fa·bil·i·ty \\ˌa-fə-ˈbi-lə-tē\\ noun• af·fa·bly \\-blē\\ adverb
affable late 15 c., from O.Fr
http://O.Fr ., from L. affabilis "kind, friendly," lit. "he who can be (easily) spoken to," from affari "to speak to," from ad- "to" + fari "to speak" (see fame).
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7 affableaf·fable / 5AfEbl / adjective pleasant, friendly and easy to talk to 和蔼可亲的；易于交谈的 SYN genial • af·fa·bil·ity / 7AfE5bilEti / noun [U] • af·fably adv.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged af·fa·ble\ˈafəbəl\ adjectiveEtymology: Middle French, from Latin affabilis, from affari to speak to (from ad- + fari to speak) + -abilis -able — more at ban 1. a. : pleasant and at ease in talking to others < an affable person > b. : characterized by ease and friendliness < on affable terms with his neighbors >2. : benign < an affable smile >: pleasant < more of this composer's affable music — Arthur Berger >Synonyms: see gracious
|