tenable
Meaning
able to be defended or maintained against attack or objection
(of a post, grant, etc.) able to be held or used for a specified period
Structure
Usage
his theory is no longer tenable in light of the new evidence.
the fellowship is tenable for three years at any approved university.
the castle's position on the hill made it a tenable fortress during the siege.
Etymology
the word 'tenable' originates from the french tenable, itself derived from the verb tenir ('to hold'), which traces back to the latin tenēre. the latin root tenēre is a prolific source in english, giving rise to words like 'tenant', 'tenure', and 'tenacious', all revolving around the core concept of holding. the suffix '-able', of latin origin, indicates capability. thus, the literal construction 'capable of being held' evolved logically into the modern abstract meanings of an idea that can be intellectually maintained or a position that can be legally or physically held for a duration.
Analysis
ten (from latin tenēre, meaning 'to hold'); able (from latin -ābilis, a suffix forming adjectives meaning 'capable of, fit for')