defensibilis

Defensibilis is a Latin adjective meaning "able to be defended" or "defensible." It is formed from the verb defendere, meaning to defend, with the suffix -ibilis, which in Latin conveys the sense of capability or susceptibility.

In classical Latin, defensibilis appears mainly in scholastic or rhetorical contexts to describe claims, positions, or arguments that can be supported by evidence or reasoning. While not a common everyday term, it would be used where a proposition is assessed for its justificatory strength.

In English-language scholarship, defensibilis is rarely used directly. When Latin passages containing the word are translated, scholars typically render the sense with defensible or defendable, rather than retaining the Latin form. The underlying concept—the idea that a claim has sufficient justification or evidentiary support—has broader counterparts in modern discourse, even if the exact Latin term is uncommon outside linguistic or historical study.

Etymology notes: defensibilis combines defendere with the productive -ibilis suffix, which yields adjectives indicating capability. Pronunciation in Classical Latin would place emphasis on the syllable preceding the final -lis, and the word would decline like other -ilis adjectives according to standard Latin grammar.

See also: defensible, defendable, Latin adjectives, Latin philosophical and legal terminology.