RESPONS'IBLE, adjective [from Latin responsus, respondeo.] 1. Liable to account; accountable; answerable; as for a trust reposed, or for a debt. We are all responsible for the talents entrusted to us by our Creator. A guardian is responsible for the faithful discharge of his duty to his ward. The surety is responsible for the debt of his principal. 2. Able to discharge an obligation; or having estate adequate to the payment of a debt. In taking bail, the officer will ascertain whether the proposed surety is a responsible man.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI