possible: [14] Latin posse ‘be able’ (source of English posse) produced the derived adjective possibilis ‘that can be done’, which came into English via Old French possible. (Its antonym impossible reached English at roughly the same time.) => posse, potent
possible (adj.)
mid-14c., from Old French possible and directly from Latin possibilis "that can be done," from posse "be able" (see potent).
possible (n.)
1640s, from possible (adj.).
权威例句
1. He programmed his computer to compare all the possible combinations.
他给他的计算机编制了一套程序,以比较所有可能的组合。
2. They agreed to work co-operatively to ease tensions wherever possible.
他们同意互相配合尽一切努力缓解紧张局势。
3. It was imperative that he act as naturally as possible.
最重要的是他要做到尽可能自然。
4. It's been a beautiful evening and you have made it all possible.
那是个美好的夜晚,你让一切成为可能。
5. It is not possible to reposition the carpet without damaging it.
【possible, probable, likely】
possible: 强调客观上可能性,但常带有“实际可能性很小”的暗示。如:It’s possible, though not probable, that he will accept these terms. (他有可能接受这些条件,但希望很小。)
probable: 很可能的,大概的,语气较possible强。如:It is probable that the cost will be greater than we think.(花费很可能比我们料想的要多。)
likely: 暗示从表面迹象来判断“有可能的”。如:It is likely that he will come.(他多半会来。)