Question

fallible adjective Errare humanum est. That Latin expression translates into English as "To err is human." Of course, cynics might say that it is also human to deceive. The word fallible simultaneously recognizes both of these human character flaws. In modern usage, it refers to one's ability to err, but it descends from the Latin verb fallere, which means "to deceive." Fallible has been used to describe the potential for error since at least the 15th century. Other descendants of the deceptive fallere in English, all of which actually predate fallible, include fallacy (the earliest, now obsolete, meaning was "guile, trickery"), fault, false, and even fail and failure. 1 : liable to be erroneous2 : capable of making a mistake

Accepted Answer

January 5, 2015 FAL-uh-bul Though parts of it are well-written, the essay is marred by too many fallible generalizations.   "… [Atul] Gawande has combined his years of experience as a surgeon with his gift for fluid, seemingly effortless storytelling to remind readers that despite stunning technical advances, doctors are human-and as fallible as any of us." - Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, October 10, 2014

Word	fallible
Date	January 5, 2015
Type	adjective
Syllables	FAL-uh-bul
Etymology	Errare humanum est. That Latin expression translates into English as "To err is human." Of course, cynics might say that it is also human to deceive. The word fallible simultaneously recognizes both of these human character flaws. In modern usage, it refers to one's ability to err, but it descends from the Latin verb fallere, which means "to deceive." Fallible has been used to describe the potential for error since at least the 15th century. Other descendants of the deceptive fallere in English, all of which actually predate fallible, include fallacy (the earliest, now obsolete, meaning was "guile, trickery"), fault, false, and even fail and failure.
Examples	Though parts of it are well-written, the essay is marred by too many fallible generalizations. "… [Atul] Gawande has combined his years of experience as a surgeon with his gift for fluid, seemingly effortless storytelling to remind readers that despite stunning technical advances, doctors are human-and as fallible as any of us." - Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, October 10, 2014
Definition	1 : liable to be erroneous 2 : capable of making a mistake

Fallible Latin Human January Adjective Fal Uh Bul Errare Humanum