a. [f. COMPANION v. or sb. + -ABLE. The word has taken the place of the earlier COMPANABLE, -IABLE.]
1. Fitted for companionship; sociable; agreeable as a companion, pleasant in society or conversation. Said of persons, their dispositions, etc.
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, I. xxxvi. 60. Man … was by Nature made a Creature companionable. Ibid., II. xlix. 256. A Companionable Life.
1640. Walton, Life Donne (T.). His very words and looks … moulded them into a companionable sadness.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., VIII. (J.). He had a more companionable wit, and swayed more among the good fellows.
1796. Windham, Speeches Parl. (1812), I. 286. Some [dogs] were retained … for their companionable qualities.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., xxxv. The insides contrived to be very companionable all the way.
2. Of things: Fitted to go with or match. rare.
1823. Lamb, Elia (1860), 186. To have thrown in his benediction, ay, and his mite too, for a companionable symbol.
1879. G. Meredith, Egoist, I. xviii. 323. She had the … art of dressing to suit the season and the sky. To-day the art was ravishingly companionable with her sweetly-lighted face.
