a. Now rare. [ad. L. exōrābilis, f. exōrāre: see next. Cf. Fr. exorable.]
1. Capable of being moved by entreaty, accessible to entreaty.
1563–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1684), III. 259/2. For he is exorable, and hath no pleasure in the death of a Sinner.
1641. W. Cartwright, Ordinary, II. i. (1651), 23. A Usurer is somewhat exorable When he is full.
a. 1694. Tillotson, Serm., xxxi. (1742), II. 356. They shall address themselves to the mountains and rocks, as being more pitiful and exorable than he.
1788. V. Knox, Winter Even., III. VII. i. 8. Death, whom no arts can render exorable, disappointed his ambition.
1867. Contemp. Rev., VI. 371. Entreaty was for the exorable, and it failed; action for the inexorable, and it succeeded.
† 2. In active sense: Effectual in entreaty. Obs. [Cf. L. exorabile carmen.]
1574. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Fam. Ep. (1577), 361. Good workes be more exorable vnto God than holy desires.
Hence Exorableness, the condition or quality of being accessible to entreaty.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 55. A spirit of mildnesse, mercie, exorablenesse and easinesse to be intreated.
1679. J. Goodman, Penit. Pardoned, I. i. (1713), 2. The exorableness of a Father upon his Son’s submission.
1730–6. in Bailey (folio).
