Which idea springs out of the other—want from wish, or wish from want?
Adjectives and Adverbs
Apt, likely, liable.
1. He is apt at languages.
2. He is likely to fail if he does not properly prepare himself. [Here apt was possible, but not so good as likely.]
Apt means “fitted,” “fit.” How could such an idea as “It is apt to rain this month” spring from the idea of fit?
3. He is likely to succeed if only he tries.
4. He is liable to arrest and quarantine,—though not likely to be arrested,—merely because he is liable to come down with a contagious disease.
With what kind of feeling does a person look forward to a thing to which he is liable?