articulable

Articulable is an adjective meaning capable of being articulated—that is, able to be expressed clearly in speech or writing, or described in detail. It describes ideas, arguments, plans, or sets of facts that can be communicated or justified in distinct terms rather than left vague or implicit. In general usage it signals that something can be stated or argued with specificity.

In legal contexts, articulable frequently appears in phrases such as articulable facts or articulable suspicion. Articulable facts are those that can be described with concrete details to support a belief, claim, or decision, such as describing observed behavior or specific circumstances. Articulable suspicion refers to a standard where a reasonable person could articulate particular, objective facts that justify a cautious action, as opposed to relying on mere hunches. Because of its formal tone, articulable is common in policy documents, judicial opinions, and scholarly writing.

Etymology and usage notes: articulable derives from Latin roots related to articulation, from articulus meaning a joint or part and from articulare meaning to articulate or express clearly. The word functions as a descriptive term in both everyday and technical language, though it is relatively formal and somewhat specialized. Related terms include articulate (to express clearly), articulation (the act of expressing or joint mechanism in anatomy), and expressible (capable of being expressed).

In summary, articulable denotes the capacity to express something clearly and with specificity, with particular prominence in legal and formal discourse where precise detailing is required.