Obs. Forms: 4, 6 lovabil(l, 5 lovabile, 6 -byll, 4–7 lovable, 5–6 loveable. [f. LOVE v.2 + -ABLE.
Not distinguishable with certainty from the adopted form of the synonymous but unconnected F. louable LOWABLE. The examples with u or v are all placed here, though it is possible that in some of them the letter is a vowel.]
Praiseworthy, laudable.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, Cant. 505. Wha is thi like … aghful and louabil and doand wondirs.
1388. Wyclif, Bible, IV. 439 (Ep. Laodiceans). And whiche been hool, and sooth, and chast, and rightwijs, and louable, do ȝe.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 7062. Hit is lelly not louable in no lede oute, Of no wise mon to wale.
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 53. It ys growyng of vertuz & rote of alle goodes loueables & worschipfull.
1496. Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1844), I. 59. For vphaldin of the auld louable consuetud … and plesour of this burgh. Ibid. (1501), 70. Conforming to the alde lovabile rite.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, X. v. 169. The worthy actis of ȝour eldaris bygane, Thar lovabyll fame, and ȝour awyn renowne.
1579. in Home MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm., 1902), 50. Lett it rest … quhill the lovable custum be verifiit be the maist skilfull Borderers of baith the realmes.
1609. in E. Burt’s Lett. N. Scotl. (1818), II. 242. The louable Acts of Parliament of this realme.
