a. [f. QUESTION v. + -ABLE.]
† 1. a. Of a person: That may be interrogated; of whom questions may be asked. b. Of a question: That may be asked or put. c. Of a place: Where questions may easily be asked. Obs. rare.
1590. C. S., Right Relig., 1. It is a question, scarse questionable.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. iv. 43. Thou com’st in such a questionable shape, That I will speake to thee.
1607. Middleton, Five Gallants, III. iii. In such publicke as a Tauerne, such a questionable place.
[1878. Simpson, Sch. Shaks., II. 119. (trans. Prodigal Son) Hollah! boy … Stay still and be questionable. Tell me [etc.].]
† 2. Of persons or acts: Liable to be called to account or dealt with judicially. Obs.
1639. Gentilis, trans. Servita’s Inquis. (1676), 833. The delinquent shall be sent to the place where he is questionable for spiritual matters.
1660. Trial Regic., 50 b. Whatever was done by their Commands, or their Authority, is not questionable by your Lordships.
1685. Cotton, trans. Montaigne (1877), I. 60. Many have thought we are not fairly questionable for anything but what we commit against our conscience.
3. Of things, facts, etc.: That may be questioned or called in question (rarely const. by); open to question or dispute; doubtful, uncertain. Freq. in phr. it is questionable (whether, if, etc.).
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 96. It is questionable, whether they have any Hindes or females.
1643. Prynne, Treach. & Disloyalty, III. 127 (R.). Making it a thing not questionable by our Prelates and Clergie.
1685. Lady Russell, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 341. The Queen, is not at all well;… ’tis questionable if she can endure the ceremony of the Coronation.
1772. Junius Lett., Ded. 6. The right of juries to return a general verdict, in all cases whatsoever is … not … in any shape questionable by the legislature.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., 63. Whatever rendered property questionable, ambiguous, and insecure.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), IV. 147. This doctrine is very questionable.
1882. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. cxxiv. Introd. They have ventured upon so many other questionable statements that we are not bound to receive this dictum.
1883. Sir J. C. Mathew, in Law Rep. 11 Queen’s Bench Div. 592. It was very questionable whether the words used were defamatory per se.
b. Of doubtful or obscure meaning. rare.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 408. When I cannot answer for myself, to render anything dark or questionable in it.
1835. I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., iv. 119. In the lapse of ages, the phraseology of law may become first obsolete, and then questionable.
c. of qualities, properties, etc.: About the existence or presence of which there may be question.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. vii. The propriety of importing any of our school books from Great Britain … is very questionable.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., I. xii. 123. The questionable privilege of having as many wives as he could support.
1885. Manch. Exam., 20 Feb., 5/1. Either its object is of questionable expediency, or its work is imperfectly done.
d. Of doubtful nature, character or quality; dubious in respect of goodness, respectability, etc.
1806. Surr, Winter in Lond., II. 261. There are a thousand questionable thoughts rushing at once upon my mind.
a. 1822. Shelley, Chas. I., II. 203. Stick not even at questionable means.
1880. L. Stephen, Pope, iii. 79. A coolness ensued between the principal and his partners in consequence of these questionable dealings.
