defensible

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   capable of being justified or supported by sound reasons

   Her decision was unpopular but defensible on both legal and ethical grounds.

2. 2
   adj

   capable of being protected successfully against attack

   The fort occupied a defensible ridge above the valley.

From Middle English defensable, through Old French from Late Latin defensibilis ("capable of being defended"), based on Latin defendere. The spelling was reshaped with -ible under Latin influence; the figurative sense extends physical defense to reasons and claims.

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