Etymology Inherited from Middle English notable (“worthy of note, profitable, useful”), in some senses from Anglo-Norman notable (“noteworthy”), from Latin notābilis (“noteworthy, extraordinary”), from notō (“to note, mark”); in some senses from Middle English note (“benefit, profit, use, advantage”), from Old English notu (“t-use, profit, advantage, employment”) + -able; equivalent to note + -able. Compare English noteful (“useful”).
1
Worthy of note; remarkable; memorable; noted or distinguished.
[...] how sayest thou, that my master is become a notable lover?c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
2
Easily noted (without connotations of value); clearly noticeable, conspicuous.
A notable lubber, as thou reportest him to be.1623, William Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona:
3
That can be observed; perceptible.
Dyslexia is most notable in children who are unable to focus on their assignments.1989, Stanton Peele, Diseasing of America:
Another most notable change concerns rolling stock liveries. Back then, corporate Rail Blue was omnipresent, whereas now there is a kaleidoscope of colours and styles.2020 June 17, David Clough, “Then and now: trains through Crewe”, in Rail, page 60:
4
Archaic Industrious, energetic; (specifically) (usually of a woman) capable, efficient in household management.
During his residence abroad, his concerns at home were managed by his mother Hester, an active and notable woman.c. 1793, Edward Gibbon, Memoirs, Penguin, published 1990, page 48:
Hester looked busy and notable with her gown pinned up behind her, and her hair all tucked away under a clean linen cap; […]1863, Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell, Sylvia's lovers:
Your honourable Uncle Sir Robert Manſell, who is now in the Mediterranean, hath been very notable to me, and I ſhall ever acknowledge a good part of my education from him.1618 March 14 (Gregorian calendar), James Howell, “V. To Dr. Fr. Mansell, at All-Souls in Oxford.”, in Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ. Familiar Letters Domestic and Forren. […], 3rd edition, volume I, London: […] Humphrey Mos[e]ley, […], published 1655, →OCLC, section II, page 68:
Etymology Inherited from Middle English notable (“worthy of note, profitable, useful”), in some senses from Anglo-Norman notable (“noteworthy”), from Latin notābilis (“noteworthy, extraordinary”), from notō (“to note, mark”); in some senses from Middle English note (“benefit, profit, use, advantage”), from Old English notu (“t-use, profit, advantage, employment”) + -able; equivalent to note + -able. Compare English noteful (“useful”).
1
A person or thing of distinction.
July 16 1875, Carl Schurz, letter to W. M. Grosvenor What we ought to have, in my opinion, is a meeting of notables—men whose names will be of weight with the country and who can be depended upon to agree to an independent course.