a. [f. STATUTE sb. + -ABLE.]
1. Prescribed, authorized or permitted by statute.
1636. Featly, Clavis Myst., viii. 99. I have no commission … to make privie search for concealed Idols, or vailed Impudency, or statutable Usurie.
1713. Guardian, No. 108, ¶ 2. Five Foot … is the statutable Measure of that Club.
1723. Swift, Argt. agst. Power Bishops, Wks. 1761, III. 260. There is but one instance in the memory of man of a bishop’s lease being broken upon the plea of not being statutable.
1798. Evelyn, Weights & Meas., in Phil. Trans., LXXXVIII. 167. Although they do not carry with them … any statuteable authority.
1868. Milman, St. Paul’s, xi. 260. How were they in the custody of the Archdeacon, not of the Treasurer, their statutable guardian?
1870. W. R. Greg, Polit. Problems, 299. On an average, the family of the labourer will comprise three members above the statutable age—frequently more.
2. Conformed to the requirements of the statutes as to quality, size or amount. † Also transf., of regular or standard quality; that will pass muster.
c. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Essex (1662), 318. Hops … being adjudged wholesome, if Statutable and unmixed with any powder, dust, dross, [etc.].
1664. Evelyn, Sylva, xxviii. § 8 (1679), 149. Statutable Billet should hold three foot in length [etc.].
1667. Dryden, Sir M. Mar-all, Prol. 6. Fops in the Town more easily will pass; One story makes a statutable Ass: But such in Plays must be much thicker sown.
1676. Mace, Musick’s Mon., 28. Those Ancient (former denominated) Statutable Wages of 8, 10, or 12 l. a year.
1742–3. Bp. Sherlock, in Johnson’s Debates (1787), II. 448. So every part of the kingdom will be equally debauched, and no place will be without a vender of Statutable poison.
1758. Borlase, Nat. Hist. Cornw., 88. Twenty bushels of wheat … on one statutable acre of ground.
1762. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, V. xxvii. My father put on his spectacles, looked,—took them off,—put them into the case,—all in less than a statutable minute.
1774. Pennant, Tour Scot. in 1772, 321. A cooper examines if they are statutable and good.
1800. Marq. Wellesley, in Owen, Desp. (1877), 702. The conveyance … of such goods … beyond the amount of the statutable tonnage of 3,000 tons.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. i. 26. Persons … were punishable if they refused to work at the statutable rate of payment.
b. In university use: Satisfying the requirements of the university statutes.
1687. Bp. Cartwright, in Magd. Coll. (O.H.S.), 122. Was he a statutable person?
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time, IV. (1724), I. 699. The Fellows … did upon this choose Dr. Hough,… who … was in all respects a statutable man.
1794. in Burke’s Corr. (1844), IV. 240. Nothing could be more unseasonable … than to appoint to the provostship any man who is not … a statutable, academical character.
1868. M. Pattison, Academ. Org., iv. 88. No college can undertake to say what is or is not now statutable.
1880. Fowler, Locke, i. 9. The statutable time of taking both degrees was anticipated.
1882. Nature, XXVII. 47. Mr. Minty … being over the statutable age, was not eligible for a scholarship.
3. Of an offence: Recognized by statute; legally punishable.
1792. W. Roberts, Looker-On, No. 3 (1794), I. 29. Though nonsense is not statutable among us, yet we are not afraid of its going to any great lengths under the evident disadvantages of order and tranquillity.
1864. Daily Tel., 8 June, 5/5. Hoaxing is not a statutable offence.
Hence Statutableness.
1687. Dr. Hough, in Magd. Coll. (O.H.S.), 127. The legality and Statutableness of my Election.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., Statutableness, the being according to the Statute, relating to the Matter.
