changeableadj.n.

Brit.

/ˈtʃeɪn(d)ʒəbl/, U.S.

/ˈtʃeɪndʒəbəl/

Forms: Middle English changeabyll, Middle English changhabil, Middle English chaungabyl, Middle English chaungeabil, Middle English chaungeabile, Middle English chaungebyll, Middle English chawngabil, Middle English chawngabile, Middle English chawngabyll, Middle English chawngeabil, Middle English chawngeabyl, Middle English chongabyl, Middle English–1500s chaungable, Middle English–1600s chaungeable, Middle English– changeable, 1500s chaingeable, 1500s chanabulle, 1500s changabil, 1500s–1600s changable, 1500s–1600s changeble, 1600s changhable; also Scottish pre-1700 chaingabill, pre-1700 chaingable, pre-1700 changable, pre-1700 changeabil, pre-1700 changeabill, pre-1700 cheangeable, pre-1700 cheingabill, pre-1700 chengabill, pre-1700 chengeable.

Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French chaungable.

Etymology: < Anglo-Norman chaungable, chaungeable, Anglo-Norman and Middle French changable, Middle French changeable (compare Anglo-Norman and Old French chanjable , Old French cheinjavle , etc.; French changeable ) inconstant, fickle (1170), mutable (mid 13th cent.), alterable (c1300 or earlier) < changer change v. + -able -able suffix.

A. adj.

a. Of people and their thoughts, fortune, etc.: likely to change; fickle, inconstant.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective]

unfastc888

unstathelfasteOE

unsteadfasta1200

fleeting?c1225

changeablea1275

ficklea1275

unstablec1290

waveringc1315

flickerc1325

loose in the haftc1325

motleyc1380

unsadc1384

variablea1387

variantc1386

ticklec1400

inconstant1402

flitting1413

brittle1420

plianta1425

mutablec1425

shittle1440

shittle-witted1448

moonishc1450

unconstant1483

unfirm1483

varying?a1500

pliablea1513

fluctuant1575

changeling1577

shittle-headed1580

cheverel1583

off and on1583

chameleon-like1589

changeful1590

limber1602

unsteady1604

ticklish1606

skittish1609

startling1619

labile1623

uncertaina1625

cheverelized1625

remuant1625

fluctuate1631

fluctuary1632

various1636

contrarious1643

epileptical1646

fluxilea1654

shittle-braineda1655

multivolent1656

totter-headed1662

on and off1668

self-inconsistent1678

weathercocka1680

whifflinga1680

versatile1682

veering1684

fast and loose1697

inconsistent1709

insteadfast1728

unfixing1810

unsteadied1814

chameleonic1821

labefact1874

ballastless1884

weathercocky1886

whiffle-minded1902

a1275 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 23 (MED) Ihesu, bring my þoust irist constanter, þat it be stable ant nout chaungable.

c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 187 (MED) Mennes hertes ben chaungable.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. iii. xxiv. 127 In wommen þat gooþ wiþ childe þe puls is variable and chaungeable.

c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 384 Fortune is chaungeable.

a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 1413 Þe life of þis world es ful unstable, And ful variand and chaungeable.

?1527 T. Feylde Contraverse bytwene Louer & Jaye sig. C.ij Theyr hertes are chaungeable Theyr myndes are varyablewith mutabylyte.

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. iv. 50 It is as certeine y^t he is vnchangeable, and that if he were not so y^e whole chaungeable nature should perish.

a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 395 A moonish youth, [would] greeue, be effeminate, changeable, longing, and liking.

1647 J. Caryl Expos. 8th–10th Chaps. Job (ix. 9) 209 That moneth was usually very stormy and the weather changeable.

1797 Encycl. Brit. II. Astronomy 429/2 The most remarkable of these changeable stars.

1822 J. Neal Logan II. i. 39 He would never consent to hold his happiness, by a tie so frail as the changeable opinion of the world.

1871 T. Hardy Desperate Remedies I. viii. 245 She would have infinitely preferred to be treated distantly..by such a changeable nature.

1953 D. Whipple Someone at Distance xv. 134 ‘You're too changeable,’ said Avery... ‘I can't keep up with you.’

2015 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 2 Oct. 18 Unfortunately next week will see the end of the fine spell and a return of our usual changeable weather.

b. Subject to or capable of change, mutable. Also: impermanent, transitory, mortal.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective]

slidinga900

wankleeOE

windyc1000

unsteadfastc1200

fleeting?c1225

loose?c1225

brotelc1315

unstablec1340

varyingc1340

variantc1374

motleyc1380

ungroundedc1380

muablea1393

passiblea1393

remuablea1393

changeablea1398

movablea1398

variablec1397

slidderya1400

ticklec1400

variantc1412

flitting1413

mutable?a1425

movingc1425

flaskisable1430

flickering1430

transmutablec1430

vertible1447

brittlea1450

ficklea1450

permutablec1450

unfirmc1450

uncertain1477

turnable1483

unsteadfast1483

vagrantc1522

inconstant1526

alterable?1531

stirringc1540

slippery1548

various1552

slid?1553

mutala1561

rolling1561

weathery1563

unconstant1568

interchangeable1574

fluctuant1575

stayless1575

transitive1575

voluble1575

changeling1577

queasy1579

desultory1581

huff-puff1582

unstaid1586

vagrant1586

changeful1590

floating1594

Protean1594

unstayed1594

swimming1596

anchorless1597

mobilec1600

ticklish1601

catching1603

labile1603

unrooted1604

quicksilvered1605

versatile1605

insubstantial1607

uncertain1609

brandling1611

rootless1611

squeasy1611

wind-changinga1616

insolid1618

ambulatory1625

versatilous1629

plastic1633

desultorious1637

unbottomed1641

fluid1642

fluent1648

yea-and-nay1648

versipellous1650

flexile1651

uncentred1652

variating1653

chequered1656

slideable1662

transchangeative1662

weathercock-like1663

flicketing1674

fluxa1677

lapsable1678

wanton1681

veering1684

upon the weathercock1702

contingent1703

unsettled?1726

fermentable1731

afloat1757

brickle1768

wavy1795

vagarious1798

unsettled1803

fitful1810

metamorphosical1811

undulating1815

tittupya1817

titubant1817

mutative1818

papier mâché1818

teetotum1819

vacillating1822

capricious1823

sensitive1828

quicksilvery1829

unengrafted1829

fluxionala1834

proteiform1833

liquid1835

tottlish1835

kaleidoscopic1846

versative1846

kaleidoscopical1858

tottery1861

choppy1865

variative1874

variational1879

wimbly-wambly1881

fluctuable1882

shifty1882

giveable1884

shifty1884

tippy1886

mutatory1890

upsettable1890

rocky1897

undulatory1897

streaky1898

tottly1905

tipply1906

up and down1907

inertialess1927

sometimey1946

rise-and-fall1950

switchable1961

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ix. ii. 518 Þouȝ tyme be so chaungeable ȝit noþing is more contynual.

c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 69 (MED) Þanne þou [sc. God] were chaungeable and transmutable and so able to deie.

a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxxviii. §8. 144 All ere chawngeabil and passand.

1576 G. Gascoigne Droomme of Doomes Day sig. Sij^v The mynde or soule is allured by the bodye vnto these worldely and chaungeable thynges.

1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine Citie of God x. xviii. 386 (margin) He is the Creator inuisible & immutable of this visible and changeable world.

1698 G. Sikes Wakening Call ix. 68 The latter, represented himself to himself..corruptible and changeable, mortal and perishable.

1708 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. c25 Aug. (1965) I. 1 I have bin very near leaveing this changeable World.

1830 T. Wirgman Divarication of New Test. Introd. p. 27 Conceptions evidently arise and vanish in time, consequently are mutable and changeable.

1909 Amer. Jrnl. Theol. 13 354 The phenomenal world is imperfect, changeable, and relatively unreal, in contrast with the absolute reality and changeless perfection of the world of ideas.

2007 Jrnl. Relig. 87 286 One line of enquiry leads to the conclusion that God is changeless, another to the conviction that God must be changeable.

c. Able or likely to be changed, esp. by a person or group of people; alterable.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective] > liable to be changed

alterable?a1425

changeable1461

variable1597

diversifiable1674

1461 J. Berney in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 242 This chaungebyll rewle.

?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. Aiv This Dictator was chaungeable euery half yere.

1575 T. Cartwright Second Replie agaynst Dr. Whitgiftes Second Answer p. dclxi An officer, changeable at the wil of the Prince.

1604 H. Jacob Reasons 70 It is not changeable by men, and therefore it only is lawfull.

1680 B. Thorogood Opinion of Point of Succession 5 All Forms or kinds of Government, are changable at the Will and Pleasure of the People.

1763 W. Lewis Commercium Philosophico-technicum 251 Bodies of the glassy kind are changeable into porcelain by baking.

1781 Hist. Lord North's Admin. iv. 150 Making that officer changeable by the governor and council, as often and for such purposes as they shall think expedient.

1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. xi. 247 Their places of meeting were changeable, and only known to their own party.

1876 Leicester Chron. & Leics. Mercury 28 Oct. 2/3 Mr. Oldenshaw's marvellous little machine is brought into operation, with its various sizes and changeable parts.

1943 A. D. Lindsay Mod. Democratic State ii. 53 The laws were not changeable by the assembly or, properly speaking, by anyone else.

2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 5 June i. 26/4 The only truly permanent part of your permanent record is the date they put on your tombstone. The rest is changeable.

a. Esp. of a fabric, as silk, taffeta, etc.: that changes colour or tint when viewed from a different angle or in a different light; shot (shot adj. 5a). Also of a colour: variable depending on the light, or the angle from which it is viewed.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > colour > variegation > iridescence > [adjective]

changeablec1450

cangeant1608

volant1616

changeanta1653

changing1659

pavonine1688

versicoloured1721

perlaceous1777

iridescent1794

pavonated1798

chatoyant1816

nacreous1819

shot1824

versicolorate1826

nacrous1836

versicolorous1847

iridine1851

perlarious1858

nacry1859

nacrine1862

playing1871

fire-opalescent1873

irisated1887

holographic1988

c1450 J. Metham Physiognomy in Wks. (1916) 127 (MED) In euery man and womannys ey nest the qwyte, ther ys a cerkyl off sundry colourys..yt ys chongabyl and varying in euery eye.

1480 Wardrobe Accts. Edward IV in N. H. Nicolas Privy Purse Expenses Elizabeth of York (1830) 116 Grene chaungeable velvet.

1550 in Norfolk Archæol. (1872) 7 34 A cope of blew changeable sylke.

1574 J. Baret Aluearie C 310 Pigeons haue feathers of changeable colours.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. iv. 73 The Tailor make thy doublet of changeable Taffata.

1624 in Archaeologia (1884) 48 136 Changable taffaty curtains.

1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 425. ¶3 A Robe of changeable Silk.

1798 T. Jones Memoirs (1951) 129 Nothing can be conceived more brilliant than the Changeable, prismatick Colours of this beautiful fish.

1810 T. Moore Oh! 'Tis sweet to think ii, in Sel. Irish Melodies No. 3. 32 Love's wing and the peacock's are..both of them bright, but they're changeable too.

1861 C. M. Yonge Young Step-mother xv. 197 Grandmamma..stroked down the broad flounces of her changeable silk.

1968 H. McCloy Mr. Splitfoot (1969) xii. 126 A ball dress of changeable silk, pale blue and rose.

2008 C. N. Douglas Cat in Sapphire Slipper lxxi. 382 Miss Temple Barr was a vision in a short, trained gown made of changeable silk organza.

b. Variegated; of diverse or various colours; marked with patches or spots of different colours; (also) capable of changing colour over time. Now rare and only in the names of certain plants or animals.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > colour > variegation > [adjective]

fawa700

medleyc1350

freckledc1380

motleyc1380

pied1382

specked1382

vary1382

partyc1385

parted1393

peckleda1400

polymitec1425

sere-colouredc1425

vairc1425

discoloured?1440

motleyed1447

varying1488

sheld1507

fleckered1508

piet1508

mellay1515

particoloured1530

pickled1552

varied1578

mingled1580

partly coloured1582

chequered1592

medley-coloured1593

mingle-coloured1593

piebald1594

feathered1610

changeable1612

particolour1612

enamelled1613

variousa1618

pie-coloured1619

jaspered1620

gangean1623

versicolour1628

patchwork1634

damasked1648

variously-coloureda1660

variegateda1661

agated1665

varicoloured1665

damaska1674

various-coloureda1711

pieted1721

versicoloured1721

diversicoloured1756

mosaic1776

harlequin1779

spanged1788

calico1807

piety1811

varied-coloured1811

discolorate1826

heterochromous1842

jaspé1851

discolor1859

discolorous1860

jasperoid1876

damascened1879

heterochromatic1895

variotinted1903

batik1914

varihued1921

rumbled1930

damasky1931

pepper-and-salt1940

partihued1959

1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. i. iii. 227 Each one striues who shall lay the first hand vppon that changeable cote [sc. Joseph's].

1733 T. Stackhouse New Hist. Bible I. iii. iv. 318/2 One Coat..which was made of a changeable, or party-colour'd Stuff.

1831 Gardener's Mag. Oct. 717 I have read in some book (I forget the title) that the flowers of Polýgala vulgàris are changeable, and that flowers have been found of several colours on the same plant; but this I never saw.

1896 Argosy Mar. 615/2 It was originally a white cat, but..it changed colour every time the house was painted, and at the time of its disappearance was yellow..with a changeable tail.

1983 A. R. Loveless Princ. Plant Biol. for Tropics xxxi. 402 In the tropics Hibiscus spp., especially H. rosa-sinensis (common hibiscus) and H. mutabilis (changeable rose or changeable hibiscus), are among the most conspicuous shrubs in the garden.

2015 T. Chan-ard et al. Field Guide to Reptiles of Thailand 97 Changeable Crested Lizard..Colour generally fawn with brownish or blackish marks.

3. Various, varying. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > various, sundry, or several

diverse1297

several1509

changeable1535

distributary?1541

varied1594

omnimodous1627

various1637

omnifarious1653

omnimode1656

variegated1662

allogeneous1892

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Esdras vi. 44 Floures of chaungeable coloure and smell.

1587 L. Mascall First Bk. Cattell iii. 209 The shepheard must often driue them ouer changeable pastures and groundes, wheras there is scant of feeding.

1636 D. Lupton Emblems of Rarities To Rdr. sig. A4 The outward Senses of men chiefly delight in varieties: the Eye takes pleasure in sundry and various objects, the Eare with severall and changeable sounds.

1650 T. Hobbes in W. Davenant Disc. upon Gondibert 141 As the sense we have of bodies, consisteth in change and variety of impression, so also do's the sense of language in the variety and changeable use of words.

c1700 Cracks Garland 5 The Bawds round the City of late, Will sell off their Cracks at a very low Rate, There's all sorts and sizes, Of changeable Prices.

1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 245. (1713) III. 424 My Papers..give my Reader an Insight into the Ways of Men, and represent Human Nature in all its changeable Colours.

1855 J. De Witt Kate Weston xxxviii. 453 The changeable foliage of Autumn lay spread away before her, down a long slope to the valley where the pretty village nestled amid hues of gold, scarlet, green and brown.

1919 Shoe & Leather Reporter 25 Dec. 117/2 Elimination of changeable sizes of lasts will place the blame of poorly fitting uppers between the pattern maker, the cutting room and the stitching room.

2009 Independent Extra (Nexis) 27 Aug. (Life section) 15 They've been of changeable quality, if that.

B. n.

1. A fabric which changes colour or tint when viewed from a different angle or in a different light (see sense A. 2a). Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > shot

changeable1628

shot1883

1552 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 13 Gownes of chanabulle lynyd with blue taffata.

1597 in D. Yaxley Researcher's Gloss. Hist. Documents E. Anglia (2003) 39 One great Chayer..fringed with changeable.

1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. ix. sig. I4 First went Lying,..clad all in Changeable.

1638 I. Jones & W. Davenant Britannia Triumphans 14 The Damsell in a streight bodied gown and wide sleeves of changeable, with a safegard of Silver stuffe.

1711 E. Freke Diary 16 Oct. in Jrnl. Cork Hist. & Archaeol. Soc. (1912) 18 158 New Bracade silke Mantua (Lined with Changeable).

1845 S. Judd Margaret x. 64 There was an agreeable intermixture of old and faded brocades and damasks, rustling padusoys, shining lutestrings, changeables, embossed linens, and plain white muslins.

1896 Nevada State Jrnl. 8 Mar. (advt.) Silks in Plain, Changeable and Plaids.

1936 Star Jrnl. (Sandusky, Ohio) 18 Nov. 6/1 (advt.) Among the newest materials are crisp moires and taffetas..in black, white, brilliant jewel shades and changeables.

2. A person who or thing which is subject to change or alteration. Now somewhat rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > change > changeableness > [noun] > changeable person or thing

weathercocka1300

wind?a1513

Proteus1528

chameleon1586

moon's man1598

vane1598

mooncalf1607

remover1609

tarand1641

inconstant1647

mutables1652

changeablea1711

kaleidoscope1819

phantasmagoria1822

palimpsest1845

variable1846

1645 W. Greenhill Expos. Five First Chapters Ezekiel (iii. 20) 356 If men have excellencies, they should be humble, and fearing, not boasting and confident, especially when their excellencies are in the number of movables, and changeables.

a1711 T. Ken Hymnarium 35 in Wks. (1721) II. No Change..the Unchangeable affects, To his fix'd Glory God all Changeables directs.

1751 S. Richardson Clarissa (ed. 3) V. xxix. 272 The changelings (or changeables, if thou like that word better).

1854 J. F. Ferrier Inst. Metaphysic vi. 154 The changeable is that which can be changed in cognition.

1960 Monmouth Oracle (Monmouth Coll., Illinois) 9 Dec. Buddhism and Hinduism..consider changeables like matter, time, space and history to be essentially meaningless.

1992 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 19 Mar. (Accent Mag.) 6/2 The challenge, of course, is in building on the strengths of our children's natures..by working with our kids on the ‘changeables’ not the ‘unchangeables’.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	changeable
释义	changeableadj.n. Brit. /ˈtʃeɪn(d)ʒəbl/, U.S. /ˈtʃeɪndʒəbəl/ Forms: Middle English changeabyll, Middle English changhabil, Middle English chaungabyl, Middle English chaungeabil, Middle English chaungeabile, Middle English chaungebyll, Middle English chawngabil, Middle English chawngabile, Middle English chawngabyll, Middle English chawngeabil, Middle English chawngeabyl, Middle English chongabyl, Middle English–1500s chaungable, Middle English–1600s chaungeable, Middle English– changeable, 1500s chaingeable, 1500s chanabulle, 1500s changabil, 1500s–1600s changable, 1500s–1600s changeble, 1600s changhable; also Scottish pre-1700 chaingabill, pre-1700 chaingable, pre-1700 changable, pre-1700 changeabil, pre-1700 changeabill, pre-1700 cheangeable, pre-1700 cheingabill, pre-1700 chengabill, pre-1700 chengeable. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French chaungable. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman chaungable, chaungeable, Anglo-Norman and Middle French changable, Middle French changeable (compare Anglo-Norman and Old French chanjable , Old French cheinjavle , etc.; French changeable ) inconstant, fickle (1170), mutable (mid 13th cent.), alterable (c1300 or earlier) < changer change v. + -able -able suffix. A. adj. 1. a. Of people and their thoughts, fortune, etc.: likely to change; fickle, inconstant. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective] unfastc888 unstathelfasteOE unsteadfasta1200 fleeting?c1225 changeablea1275 ficklea1275 unstablec1290 waveringc1315 flickerc1325 loose in the haftc1325 motleyc1380 unsadc1384 variablea1387 variantc1386 ticklec1400 inconstant1402 flitting1413 brittle1420 plianta1425 mutablec1425 shittle1440 shittle-witted1448 moonishc1450 unconstant1483 unfirm1483 varying?a1500 pliablea1513 fluctuant1575 changeling1577 shittle-headed1580 cheverel1583 off and on1583 chameleon-like1589 changeful1590 limber1602 unsteady1604 ticklish1606 skittish1609 startling1619 labile1623 uncertaina1625 cheverelized1625 remuant1625 fluctuate1631 fluctuary1632 various1636 contrarious1643 epileptical1646 fluxilea1654 shittle-braineda1655 multivolent1656 totter-headed1662 on and off1668 self-inconsistent1678 weathercocka1680 whifflinga1680 versatile1682 veering1684 fast and loose1697 inconsistent1709 insteadfast1728 unfixing1810 unsteadied1814 chameleonic1821 labefact1874 ballastless1884 weathercocky1886 whiffle-minded1902 a1275 in C. Brown Eng. Lyrics 13th Cent. (1932) 23 (MED) Ihesu, bring my þoust irist constanter, þat it be stable ant nout chaungable. c1390 in C. Brown Relig. Lyrics 14th Cent. (1924) 187 (MED) Mennes hertes ben chaungable. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. iii. xxiv. 127 In wommen þat gooþ wiþ childe þe puls is variable and chaungeable. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 384 Fortune is chaungeable. a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 1413 Þe life of þis world es ful unstable, And ful variand and chaungeable. ?1527 T. Feylde Contraverse bytwene Louer & Jaye sig. C.ij Theyr hertes are chaungeable Theyr myndes are varyablewith mutabylyte. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. iv. 50 It is as certeine y^t he is vnchangeable, and that if he were not so y^e whole chaungeable nature should perish. a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 395 A moonish youth, [would] greeue, be effeminate, changeable, longing, and liking. View more context for this quotation 1647 J. Caryl Expos. 8th–10th Chaps. Job (ix. 9) 209 That moneth was usually very stormy and the weather changeable. 1797 Encycl. Brit. II. Astronomy 429/2 The most remarkable of these changeable stars. 1822 J. Neal Logan II. i. 39 He would never consent to hold his happiness, by a tie so frail as the changeable opinion of the world. 1871 T. Hardy Desperate Remedies I. viii. 245 She would have infinitely preferred to be treated distantly..by such a changeable nature. 1953 D. Whipple Someone at Distance xv. 134 ‘You're too changeable,’ said Avery... ‘I can't keep up with you.’ 2015 Daily Mirror (Nexis) 2 Oct. 18 Unfortunately next week will see the end of the fine spell and a return of our usual changeable weather. b. Subject to or capable of change, mutable. Also: impermanent, transitory, mortal. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective] slidinga900 wankleeOE windyc1000 unsteadfastc1200 fleeting?c1225 loose?c1225 brotelc1315 unstablec1340 varyingc1340 variantc1374 motleyc1380 ungroundedc1380 muablea1393 passiblea1393 remuablea1393 changeablea1398 movablea1398 variablec1397 slidderya1400 ticklec1400 variantc1412 flitting1413 mutable?a1425 movingc1425 flaskisable1430 flickering1430 transmutablec1430 vertible1447 brittlea1450 ficklea1450 permutablec1450 unfirmc1450 uncertain1477 turnable1483 unsteadfast1483 vagrantc1522 inconstant1526 alterable?1531 stirringc1540 slippery1548 various1552 slid?1553 mutala1561 rolling1561 weathery1563 unconstant1568 interchangeable1574 fluctuant1575 stayless1575 transitive1575 voluble1575 changeling1577 queasy1579 desultory1581 huff-puff1582 unstaid1586 vagrant1586 changeful1590 floating1594 Protean1594 unstayed1594 swimming1596 anchorless1597 mobilec1600 ticklish1601 catching1603 labile1603 unrooted1604 quicksilvered1605 versatile1605 insubstantial1607 uncertain1609 brandling1611 rootless1611 squeasy1611 wind-changinga1616 insolid1618 ambulatory1625 versatilous1629 plastic1633 desultorious1637 unbottomed1641 fluid1642 fluent1648 yea-and-nay1648 versipellous1650 flexile1651 uncentred1652 variating1653 chequered1656 slideable1662 transchangeative1662 weathercock-like1663 flicketing1674 fluxa1677 lapsable1678 wanton1681 veering1684 upon the weathercock1702 contingent1703 unsettled?1726 fermentable1731 afloat1757 brickle1768 wavy1795 vagarious1798 unsettled1803 fitful1810 metamorphosical1811 undulating1815 tittupya1817 titubant1817 mutative1818 papier mâché1818 teetotum1819 vacillating1822 capricious1823 sensitive1828 quicksilvery1829 unengrafted1829 fluxionala1834 proteiform1833 liquid1835 tottlish1835 kaleidoscopic1846 versative1846 kaleidoscopical1858 tottery1861 choppy1865 variative1874 variational1879 wimbly-wambly1881 fluctuable1882 shifty1882 giveable1884 shifty1884 tippy1886 mutatory1890 upsettable1890 rocky1897 undulatory1897 streaky1898 tottly1905 tipply1906 up and down1907 inertialess1927 sometimey1946 rise-and-fall1950 switchable1961 a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ix. ii. 518 Þouȝ tyme be so chaungeable ȝit noþing is more contynual. c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 69 (MED) Þanne þou [sc. God] were chaungeable and transmutable and so able to deie. a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) xxxviii. §8. 144 All ere chawngeabil and passand. 1576 G. Gascoigne Droomme of Doomes Day sig. Sij^v The mynde or soule is allured by the bodye vnto these worldely and chaungeable thynges. 1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine Citie of God x. xviii. 386 (margin) He is the Creator inuisible & immutable of this visible and changeable world. 1698 G. Sikes Wakening Call ix. 68 The latter, represented himself to himself..corruptible and changeable, mortal and perishable. 1708 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. c25 Aug. (1965) I. 1 I have bin very near leaveing this changeable World. 1830 T. Wirgman Divarication of New Test. Introd. p. 27 Conceptions evidently arise and vanish in time, consequently are mutable and changeable. 1909 Amer. Jrnl. Theol. 13 354 The phenomenal world is imperfect, changeable, and relatively unreal, in contrast with the absolute reality and changeless perfection of the world of ideas. 2007 Jrnl. Relig. 87 286 One line of enquiry leads to the conclusion that God is changeless, another to the conviction that God must be changeable. c. Able or likely to be changed, esp. by a person or group of people; alterable. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > changeableness > [adjective] > liable to be changed alterable?a1425 changeable1461 variable1597 diversifiable1674 1461 J. Berney in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 242 This chaungebyll rewle. ?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. Aiv This Dictator was chaungeable euery half yere. 1575 T. Cartwright Second Replie agaynst Dr. Whitgiftes Second Answer p. dclxi An officer, changeable at the wil of the Prince. 1604 H. Jacob Reasons 70 It is not changeable by men, and therefore it only is lawfull. 1680 B. Thorogood Opinion of Point of Succession 5 All Forms or kinds of Government, are changable at the Will and Pleasure of the People. 1763 W. Lewis Commercium Philosophico-technicum 251 Bodies of the glassy kind are changeable into porcelain by baking. 1781 Hist. Lord North's Admin. iv. 150 Making that officer changeable by the governor and council, as often and for such purposes as they shall think expedient. 1830 I. D'Israeli Comm. Life Charles I III. xi. 247 Their places of meeting were changeable, and only known to their own party. 1876 Leicester Chron. & Leics. Mercury 28 Oct. 2/3 Mr. Oldenshaw's marvellous little machine is brought into operation, with its various sizes and changeable parts. 1943 A. D. Lindsay Mod. Democratic State ii. 53 The laws were not changeable by the assembly or, properly speaking, by anyone else. 2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 5 June i. 26/4 The only truly permanent part of your permanent record is the date they put on your tombstone. The rest is changeable. 2. a. Esp. of a fabric, as silk, taffeta, etc.: that changes colour or tint when viewed from a different angle or in a different light; shot (shot adj. 5a). Also of a colour: variable depending on the light, or the angle from which it is viewed. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > colour > variegation > iridescence > [adjective] changeablec1450 cangeant1608 volant1616 changeanta1653 changing1659 pavonine1688 versicoloured1721 perlaceous1777 iridescent1794 pavonated1798 chatoyant1816 nacreous1819 shot1824 versicolorate1826 nacrous1836 versicolorous1847 iridine1851 perlarious1858 nacry1859 nacrine1862 playing1871 fire-opalescent1873 irisated1887 holographic1988 c1450 J. Metham Physiognomy in Wks. (1916) 127 (MED) In euery man and womannys ey nest the qwyte, ther ys a cerkyl off sundry colourys..yt ys chongabyl and varying in euery eye. 1480 Wardrobe Accts. Edward IV in N. H. Nicolas Privy Purse Expenses Elizabeth of York (1830) 116 Grene chaungeable velvet. 1550 in Norfolk Archæol. (1872) 7 34 A cope of blew changeable sylke. 1574 J. Baret Aluearie C 310 Pigeons haue feathers of changeable colours. a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) ii. iv. 73 The Tailor make thy doublet of changeable Taffata. View more context for this quotation 1624 in Archaeologia (1884) 48 136 Changable taffaty curtains. 1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 425. ¶3 A Robe of changeable Silk. 1798 T. Jones Memoirs (1951) 129 Nothing can be conceived more brilliant than the Changeable, prismatick Colours of this beautiful fish. 1810 T. Moore Oh! 'Tis sweet to think ii, in Sel. Irish Melodies No. 3. 32 Love's wing and the peacock's are..both of them bright, but they're changeable too. 1861 C. M. Yonge Young Step-mother xv. 197 Grandmamma..stroked down the broad flounces of her changeable silk. 1968 H. McCloy Mr. Splitfoot (1969) xii. 126 A ball dress of changeable silk, pale blue and rose. 2008 C. N. Douglas Cat in Sapphire Slipper lxxi. 382 Miss Temple Barr was a vision in a short, trained gown made of changeable silk organza. b. Variegated; of diverse or various colours; marked with patches or spots of different colours; (also) capable of changing colour over time. Now rare and only in the names of certain plants or animals. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > colour > variegation > [adjective] fawa700 medleyc1350 freckledc1380 motleyc1380 pied1382 specked1382 vary1382 partyc1385 parted1393 peckleda1400 polymitec1425 sere-colouredc1425 vairc1425 discoloured?1440 motleyed1447 varying1488 sheld1507 fleckered1508 piet1508 mellay1515 particoloured1530 pickled1552 varied1578 mingled1580 partly coloured1582 chequered1592 medley-coloured1593 mingle-coloured1593 piebald1594 feathered1610 changeable1612 particolour1612 enamelled1613 variousa1618 pie-coloured1619 jaspered1620 gangean1623 versicolour1628 patchwork1634 damasked1648 variously-coloureda1660 variegateda1661 agated1665 varicoloured1665 damaska1674 various-coloureda1711 pieted1721 versicoloured1721 diversicoloured1756 mosaic1776 harlequin1779 spanged1788 calico1807 piety1811 varied-coloured1811 discolorate1826 heterochromous1842 jaspé1851 discolor1859 discolorous1860 jasperoid1876 damascened1879 heterochromatic1895 variotinted1903 batik1914 varihued1921 rumbled1930 damasky1931 pepper-and-salt1940 partihued1959 1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. i. iii. 227 Each one striues who shall lay the first hand vppon that changeable cote [sc. Joseph's]. 1733 T. Stackhouse New Hist. Bible I. iii. iv. 318/2 One Coat..which was made of a changeable, or party-colour'd Stuff. 1831 Gardener's Mag. Oct. 717 I have read in some book (I forget the title) that the flowers of Polýgala vulgàris are changeable, and that flowers have been found of several colours on the same plant; but this I never saw. 1896 Argosy Mar. 615/2 It was originally a white cat, but..it changed colour every time the house was painted, and at the time of its disappearance was yellow..with a changeable tail. 1983 A. R. Loveless Princ. Plant Biol. for Tropics xxxi. 402 In the tropics Hibiscus spp., especially H. rosa-sinensis (common hibiscus) and H. mutabilis (changeable rose or changeable hibiscus), are among the most conspicuous shrubs in the garden. 2015 T. Chan-ard et al. Field Guide to Reptiles of Thailand 97 Changeable Crested Lizard..Colour generally fawn with brownish or blackish marks. 3. Various, varying. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > relationship > variety > [adjective] > various, sundry, or several diverse1297 several1509 changeable1535 distributary?1541 varied1594 omnimodous1627 various1637 omnifarious1653 omnimode1656 variegated1662 allogeneous1892 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Esdras vi. 44 Floures of chaungeable coloure and smell. 1587 L. Mascall First Bk. Cattell iii. 209 The shepheard must often driue them ouer changeable pastures and groundes, wheras there is scant of feeding. 1636 D. Lupton Emblems of Rarities To Rdr. sig. A4 The outward Senses of men chiefly delight in varieties: the Eye takes pleasure in sundry and various objects, the Eare with severall and changeable sounds. 1650 T. Hobbes in W. Davenant Disc. upon Gondibert 141 As the sense we have of bodies, consisteth in change and variety of impression, so also do's the sense of language in the variety and changeable use of words. c1700 Cracks Garland 5 The Bawds round the City of late, Will sell off their Cracks at a very low Rate, There's all sorts and sizes, Of changeable Prices. 1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 245. (1713) III. 424 My Papers..give my Reader an Insight into the Ways of Men, and represent Human Nature in all its changeable Colours. 1855 J. De Witt Kate Weston xxxviii. 453 The changeable foliage of Autumn lay spread away before her, down a long slope to the valley where the pretty village nestled amid hues of gold, scarlet, green and brown. 1919 Shoe & Leather Reporter 25 Dec. 117/2 Elimination of changeable sizes of lasts will place the blame of poorly fitting uppers between the pattern maker, the cutting room and the stitching room. 2009 Independent Extra (Nexis) 27 Aug. (Life section) 15 They've been of changeable quality, if that. B. n. 1. A fabric which changes colour or tint when viewed from a different angle or in a different light (see sense A. 2a). Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > shot changeable1628 shot1883 1552 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 13 Gownes of chanabulle lynyd with blue taffata. 1597 in D. Yaxley Researcher's Gloss. Hist. Documents E. Anglia (2003) 39 One great Chayer..fringed with changeable. 1628 O. Felltham Resolves: 2nd Cent. ix. sig. I4 First went Lying,..clad all in Changeable. 1638 I. Jones & W. Davenant Britannia Triumphans 14 The Damsell in a streight bodied gown and wide sleeves of changeable, with a safegard of Silver stuffe. 1711 E. Freke Diary 16 Oct. in Jrnl. Cork Hist. & Archaeol. Soc. (1912) 18 158 New Bracade silke Mantua (Lined with Changeable). 1845 S. Judd Margaret x. 64 There was an agreeable intermixture of old and faded brocades and damasks, rustling padusoys, shining lutestrings, changeables, embossed linens, and plain white muslins. 1896 Nevada State Jrnl. 8 Mar. (advt.) Silks in Plain, Changeable and Plaids. 1936 Star Jrnl. (Sandusky, Ohio) 18 Nov. 6/1 (advt.) Among the newest materials are crisp moires and taffetas..in black, white, brilliant jewel shades and changeables. 2. A person who or thing which is subject to change or alteration. Now somewhat rare. ΘΚΠ the world > time > change > changeableness > [noun] > changeable person or thing weathercocka1300 wind?a1513 Proteus1528 chameleon1586 moon's man1598 vane1598 mooncalf1607 remover1609 tarand1641 inconstant1647 mutables1652 changeablea1711 kaleidoscope1819 phantasmagoria1822 palimpsest1845 variable1846 1645 W. Greenhill Expos. Five First Chapters Ezekiel (iii. 20) 356 If men have excellencies, they should be humble, and fearing, not boasting and confident, especially when their excellencies are in the number of movables, and changeables. a1711 T. Ken Hymnarium 35 in Wks. (1721) II. No Change..the Unchangeable affects, To his fix'd Glory God all Changeables directs. 1751 S. Richardson Clarissa (ed. 3) V. xxix. 272 The changelings (or changeables, if thou like that word better). 1854 J. F. Ferrier Inst. Metaphysic vi. 154 The changeable is that which can be changed in cognition. 1960 Monmouth Oracle (Monmouth Coll., Illinois) 9 Dec. Buddhism and Hinduism..consider changeables like matter, time, space and history to be essentially meaningless. 1992 Lethbridge (Alberta) Herald 19 Mar. (Accent Mag.) 6/2 The challenge, of course, is in building on the strengths of our children's natures..by working with our kids on the ‘changeables’ not the ‘unchangeables’. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.n.a1275
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