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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Liable \Li"a*ble\ (l[imac]"[.a]*b'l), a. [From F. lier to bind,
L. ligare. Cf. {Ally}, v. t., {Ligature}.]
1. Bound or obliged in law or equity; responsible;
answerable; as, the surety is liable for the debt of his
principal.
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2. Exposed to a certain contingency or casualty, more or less
probable; -- with to and an infinitive or noun; as, liable
to slip; liable to accident.
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Syn: Accountable; responsible; answerable; bound; subject;
obnoxious; exposed.

Usage: {Liable}, {Subject}. Liable refers to a future
possible or probable happening which may not actually
occur; as, horses are liable to slip; even the
sagacious are liable to make mistakes. Subject refers
to any actual state or condition belonging to the
nature or circumstances of the person or thing spoken
of, or to that which often befalls one. One whose
father was subject to attacks of the gout is himself
liable to have that disease. Men are constantly
subject to the law, but liable to suffer by its
infraction.
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Proudly secure, yet liable to fall. --Milton.
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All human things are subject to decay. --Dryden.
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