Word Origin & History
mutablelate 14c., "liable to change," from O.Prov. mutable, from L. mutabilis "changeable," from mutare "to change," from PIE base *mei- "to change, go, move" (cf. Skt. methati "changes, alternates, joins, meets;" Avestan mitho "perverted, false;" L. meare "to go, pass," migrare "to move from one place to another;"
O.C.S. mite "alternately;" Czech mijim "to go by, pass by," Pol. mijam "avoid;" Goth. maidjan "to change;" Hitt. mutai- "to be changed into"); with derivatives refering to the exchange of goods and services within a society as regulated by custom or law (cf. L. mutuus "done in exchange," munus "service performed for the community, duty, work"). Related: Mutability.