from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Amicable \Am"i*ca*ble\, a. [L. amicabilis, fr. amicus friend,
fr. amare to love. See {Amiable}.]
Friendly; proceeding from, or exhibiting, friendliness; after
the manner of friends; peaceable; as, an amicable
disposition, or arrangement.
[1913 Webster]
That which was most remarkable in this contest was . .
. the amicable manner in which it was managed.
--Prideoux.
[1913 Webster]
{Amicable action} (Law.), an action commenced and prosecuted
by amicable consent of the parties, for the purpose of
obtaining a decision of the court on some matter of law
involved in it. --Bouvier. --Burrill.
{Amicable numbers} (Math.), two numbers, each of which is
equal to the sum of all the aliquot parts of the other.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Friendly; peaceable; kind; harmonious.
Usage: {Amicable}, {Friendly}. Neither of these words denotes
any great warmth of affection, since friendly has by
no means the same strength as its noun friendship. It
does, however, imply something of real cordiality;
while amicable supposes very little more than that the
parties referred to are not disposed to quarrel.
Hence, we speak of amicable relations between two
countries, an amicable adjustment of difficulties.
"Those who entertain friendly feelings toward each
other can live amicably together."
[1913 Webster]