liability

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English liable Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ts Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts Latin -itāsder. Old French -itebor. Middle English -ite English -ity English liability From liable + -ity.

1. An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.

   “"I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility," continued the other. "They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation."”

   “Those products – known as liability-driven investing, or LDIs – help offset liabilities and risks on pension funds’ books.”

2. An obligation, debt or responsibility owed to someone.
3. A handicap that holds something back, a drawback, someone or something that is a burden to whoever is required to take care of them; a person or action that exposes others to greater risk.

   “Asked if at some point Huma becomes a liability to Hillary, the long-term Clinton insider replies, “It’s like anything else. I don’t think so, but you know I don’t have any idea. Hillary is very loyal, but she’s obviously pragmatic.””

4. A handicap that holds something back, a drawback, someone or something that is a burden to whoever is required to take care of them; a person or action that exposes others to greater risk.

   “You're a bloody liability sometimes!”

5. The likelihood of something happening.
6. The condition of being susceptible to something.