Definition of the word eatable

The word "eatable" has its roots in the Old English language, where it was spelled grene and meant "green" or "fresh." However, by the Middle English period (1100-1500 AD), the word had acquired a new meaning: edible. The origins of this new meaning are unclear, as there is no direct link to any Old English word with the meaning "edible." The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) theorizes that the word may have evolved from a proto-Germanic root meaning "sweet," as many ancient cultures associated sweetness with food that was good to eat. Another possibility is that the word "eatable" derives from the Old English word etan, meaning "to eat." If so, "eatable" may simply be a derivative of this root, denoting something that is fit to be consumed. Regardless of its origins, the word "eatable" has remained in use for hundreds of years, and its meaning has remained largely unchanged. Today, it is defined by the OED as "suitable to be eaten," and is often used in combination with other words to describe specific types of food, such as "eatable sweets" or "eatable berries." In summary, the origin of the word "eatable" is somewhat mysterious, but it likely has roots in either the Old English word grene or the verb etan. Over time, its meaning has evolved to reflect the current understanding of what is "fit to be eaten."