Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993.
passable, passible (adjs.)
are homonyms, pronounced PAS-uh-bul, but they have different meanings, spellings, and frequency of use. Passable is a frequently used word meaning “of roads and bridges, usable or serviceable” and, more generally, “acceptable or at least minimally satisfactory”: His behavior was passable, but no more than that. Passible is a very rare word meaning “capable of feeling or suffering”: Her nature was exceptionally passible: she empathized and sympathized with everyone and everything.
