indefensible
UK[ˌɪndɪˈfensəbl]US[ˌɪndɪˈfensəbl]
adj
not able to be protected or defended against attack
adj
not able to be supported or justified because it is morally wrong
Morpheme Breakdown
in
defens
ible
in
not
defens
to ward off
ible
capable of being
Etymology
the word 'indefensible' is built from latin components. the core 'defens' originates from the latin verb 'defendere', meaning 'to ward off or protect', which itself is a compound of 'de-' (off, away) and 'fendere' (to strike). the negative prefix 'in-' negates the quality, and the suffix '-ible' indicates capability. therefore, the literal construction yields 'not capable of being warded off or protected'. over time, this meaning extended logically from the physical military context to the abstract moral and argumentative sphere, describing a position that cannot be protected or justified against criticism.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + defens (to ward off) + ible (capable of being)
in- (latin, negative prefix); defens (latin, from 'defendere', meaning to ward off, protect); -ible (latin, adjective-forming suffix meaning 'capable of being')
Examples
the general declared the remote outpost militarily indefensible.
his actions were morally indefensible and drew widespread condemnation.
the lawyer found the client's argument completely indefensible in court.