Responsible (rspnsb'l), a.
Etymology: [Cf. F. responsable. See Respond.]
1. Liable to respond; likely to be called upon to answer; accountable; answerable; amenable; as, a guardian is responsible to the court for his conduct in the office.
2. Able to respond or answer for one's conduct and obligations; trustworthy, financially or otherwise; as, to have a responsible man for surety.
3. Involving responsibility; involving a degree of accountability on the part of the person concerned; as, a responsible office.
Syn. -- Accountable; answerable; amenable. -- Re*spon"si*ble*ness, n. -- Re*spon"si*bly, adv.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists responsible only as an antonym, under absolute.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given