possible（adj.）
"可能存在、发生或被完成的"，14世纪中叶，源自古法语 possible，直接源自拉丁语 possibilis，意为"可以完成"，源自 posse "有能力"（参见 potent）。
The only kind of object which in strict propriety of language can be called possible is the truth of a proposition ; and when a kind of thing is said to be possible, this is to be regarded as an elliptical expression, meaning that it is of such a general description that we do not know it does not exist. So an event or act is said to be possible, meaning that one would not know that it would not come to pass. But it is incorrect to use possible meaning practicable ; possible is what may be, not what can be. [Century Dictionary]
在严格的语言准确性中，唯一可以称为 possible 的对象是一个命题的真实性； 当一种 thing 被称为 possible 时，这应被视为一种省略表达，意思是它是这样一种一般性描述，我们不知道它不存在。因此，一个事件或行为被称为 possible，意思是我们不知道它不会发生。但是，使用 possible 来表示 practicable 是不正确的； possible 是可能发生的，而不是可以发生的。[世纪词典]
该词起源时间：14世纪中期