eligibilis

Eligibilis is a Latin adjective meaning “able to be chosen” or “eligible.” It is formed from the verb eligere, “to pick or choose,” with the suffix -bilis, which denotes capacity or fitness. The English word eligible, along with related forms in several modern languages such as French éligible, Italian elegibile, Spanish elegible, and Portuguese elegível, trace their origins to this Latin root.

In classical and medieval Latin, eligibilis describes persons or things suitable for selection, especially for holding public office, joining an assembly, or participating in elections or juries. It appears in legal and constitutional contexts where the concept of qualification or suitability to participate or govern is relevant. While the Latin term is primarily of philological and historical interest today, it helps explain the modern vocabulary surrounding political participation and eligibility criteria.

In modern languages, the concept survives in various forms that derive from the same root. English uses eligible; French uses éligible; Spanish and Italian use elegible/elegibile; Portuguese uses elegível. The core idea—having the qualification or right to be chosen—remains central to discussions of voting rights, officeholders, and access to certain privileges, even when the direct Latin form is not in common everyday use.