Reviewability is an uncommon word that holds the concept of being able to be reviewed or scrutinized. Its pronunciation can be transcribed as /rɪˌvjuːəˈbɪləti/ (rih-vyoo-uh-bil-uh-tee). Looking at its spelling, "review" is unmistakable, and "-ability" is a typical suffix used to modify the noun into an abstract quality. Thus, the word is spelled with "view" in the second syllable rather than "ue," which is found in the word "review."
Reviewability refers to the quality or state of being able to be reviewed. It is a term that is most commonly used in legal contexts, particularly in relation to administrative decisions or actions that are subject to judicial review.
In legal terms, reviewability implies that a decision or action is capable of being examined by a higher judicial authority to determine whether it is lawful or not. Administrative decisions made by government agencies, regulatory bodies, or other public authorities may be subject to review if there are concerns about their legality, fairness, or procedural correctness. Reviewability allows individuals or organizations affected by such decisions to seek a legal remedy or challenge their validity before a court.
Reviewability involves ensuring that there are appropriate and clearly defined mechanisms in place for challenging decisions that may be unlawful or arbitrary. It often involves principles such as due process, fair hearing, transparency, and accountability. The concept of reviewability emphasizes the importance of an independent judiciary in ensuring the rule of law and preventing abuses of power by administrative bodies.
In a broader sense, reviewability can also be applied in non-legal contexts, such as product or service reviews. It refers to the ability of a customer or user to evaluate and provide feedback on a particular product, service, or experience. Reviewability in this sense focuses on the ease and accessibility of expressing opinions or judgments and is an essential aspect of consumer empowerment and market transparency.
The word "reviewability" is derived from the combination of two root words: "review" and "-ability".
The word "review" originated from the Middle French word "reveue" (also spelled "revenue") which means "a seeing again" or "examination". From there, it entered English in the late 15th century, primarily referring to a formal inspection or assessment of something.
The suffix "-ability" is added to the word "review" to form "reviewability". This suffix, derived from the Latin suffix "-abilitas", is used to denote the capacity, quality, or state of being able to perform or possess a specific characteristic. In the case of "reviewability", it indicates the ability or quality of being able to be reviewed or examined.