different between personable vs unpersonable

English

Alternative forms

• personible (obsolete)
• parsonable (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English personable, personabil, equivalent to person +? -able. Compare Medieval Latin personabilis (“personal”), found in a late 13th century British source. The Middle French personable (“remarkable, important”) doesn't appear until 1528.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?p??(?)s?n?b?l/

Adjective

personable (comparative more personable, superlative most personable)

1. (of a person) Having a pleasing appearance or manner; attractive; handsome; friendly; amiable.
   • 1822, Sir Walter Scott, The Fortunes of Nigel, ch. 19:

     I admit him a personable man, for I have seen him; and I will suppose him courteous and agreeable.

   • 1908, E. M. Forster, A Room With a View, ch. 12:

     Barefoot, bare-chested, radiant and personable against the shadowy woods, he called: "Hullo, Miss Honeychurch! Hullo!"

   • 1919, Joseph A. Altsheler. The Sun Of Quebec, ch. 5:

     I'm bound to admit that you're a personable young rascal, with the best manners I've met in a long time.

   • 2009, Randy James, "2-Min. Bio: Stephanie Birkitt: Letterman's Lover?," Time, 5 Oct.:

     Aside from being incredibly funny and personable he is generous, kind and is great fun to play catch with.

2. (law) Enabled to maintain pleas in court.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Cowell to this entry?)

3. Having capacity to take anything granted.

Synonyms

• (having a pleasing appearance or manner): affable

Translations

English

Etymology

un- +? personable

Adjective

unpersonable (comparative more unpersonable, superlative most unpersonable)

1. Not personable.
   • 1915, John Buchan, The Thirty-Nine Steps

     By the time I had finished the looking-glass showed a not unpersonable young man.