defensible

From Old French defensable, from Latin defensibilem. Equivalent to defense +‎ -ible.

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bəl/, [dɪˈfɛn.sɪ.bɫ]

  • Audio (General American):

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• (General Australian) IPA^(key): [dɪˈfen.sɪ.bɫ]

defensible (comparative more defensible, superlative most defensible)

1. (of an installation, etc.) Capable of being defended against armed attack.
   • 1907, Ronald M. Burrows, The Discoveries In Crete, page 11:

     Not only were those cities fortified, but their architects based their whole system on the strategical possibilities of the site, and closely followed its defensible contours.

2. (of an argument, etc.) Capable of being justified.
   • 1949, F. A. Hayek, “The Intellectuals and Socialism”, in University of Chicago Law Review, volume 16, number 3, Chicago: University of Chicago, →DOI, page 430:

     Those who are most familiar with the working of the present society are also usually interested in the preservation of particular features of that society which may not be defensible on general principle.

• (capable of being defended): defendable

• indefensible

• Benefields