expugnable

Expugnable is an adjective that denotes being capable of being conquered or taken by force, especially in the context of fortifications, military positions, or contested cities. It describes the potential for capture through siege, assault, or breach, rather than a guaranteed outcome. The term is most often used in historical or scholarly discussions of warfare and defense, rather than in everyday modern usage.

Etymology: Expugnable derives from Latin expugnabilis, from expugnare, to take by storm or capture, related to expugno "to fight and seize." The noun form is expugnability.

Usage and nuance: In contemporary prose, expugnable is largely a literary or formal term. It can express that a position could be taken under favorable conditions for attackers, whereas "impregnable" is used for a fortification deemed too strong to be captured. However, impregnable does not guarantee invulnerability, and expugnable emphasizes the prospect of capture given sufficient resources or strategy. The term may appear in discussions of medieval castles, fortifications, or historical siege narratives.

Related terms and contrasts: Related concepts include assailable, conquerable, impregnable, fortification, and siege. Expugnable specifically focuses on the vulnerability to capture, rather than simply being open to attack.