corrigible

comparative more corrigible · superlative most corrigible

1. Able to be corrected or set right.

   Why is it, then, that there is on the whole a preponderance among mankind of rational opinions and rational conduct? […] it is owing to a quality of the human mind, the source of everything respectable in man either as an intellectual or as a moral being, namely, that his errors are corrigible.

   1859, John Stuart Mill, chapter 2, in On Liberty, London: John W. Parker & Son, page 38

   Synonyms: correctable · Antonyms: incorrigible

2. obsoleteSubmissive to correction

   Wouldst thou […] see Thy master thus with pleach’d arms, bending down His corrigible neck […]

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene xiv]

   Synonyms: docile

3. obsoleteDeserving chastisement.

   […] he was taken up very short, and adjudgd corrigible for such presumptuous language.

   1640, I. H. [i.e., James Howell], “Prince Rocalino’s Journey to Elaiana”, in ΔΕΝΔΡΟΛΟΓΊΑ [DENDROLOGIA]. Dodona’s Grove, or, The Vocall Forrest, London: […] T[homas] B[adger] for H. Mosley [i.e., Humphrey Moseley] […], →OCLC

   Synonyms: punishable

4. obsoleteHaving power to correct.

   1 more example

   Our bodies are our gardens, to the which our wills are gardeners: so that if we will plant nettles, or sow lettuce, set hyssop and weed up thyme, supply it with one gender of herbs, or distract it with many, either to have it sterile with idleness, or manured with industry, why, the power and corrigible authority of this lies in our wills.

   c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]

   Synonyms: corrective