adj.1 (often foll. by to, for) liable to be called to account (to a person or for a thing).
2 morally accountable for one's actions; capable of rational conduct.
3 of good credit, position, or repute; respectable; evidently trustworthy.
4 (often foll. by for) being the primary cause (a short circuit was responsible for the power failure).
5 (of a ruler or government) not autocratic.
6 involving responsibility (a responsible job).
Derivatives:
responsibleness n. responsibly adv.
Etymology: obs. F f. L respondere: see RESPOND