adjective

1. legally bound or obligated, as to make good any loss or damage that occurs in a transaction; responsible
2. likely to have, suffer from, etc.; exposed to or subject to liable to heart attacks
3. subject to the possibility of; likely (to do, have, get, etc. something unpleasant or unwanted) liable to cause hard feelings

Etymology: prob. via Anglo-Fr < OFr lier, to bind < L ligare, to bind (see ligature) + -able