indefensible, a.
(ɪndɪˈfɛnsɪb(ə)l)
[f. in-3 + defensible. Cf. F. indéfensible (Montaigne, 16th c.).]
Not defensible; admitting of no defence.
1. Incapable of being defended by force of arms.
| 1569 T. Stocker tr. Diod. Sic. ii. xxx. 82 They did forsake the indefensible small townes and villages. 1682 Burnet Rights Princes Pref. 11 By an obstinate keeping of an indefensible piece of Ground. 1849 James Woodman iv, Their great extent rendered them indefensible against the means of escalade. 1884 Spectator 4 Oct. 1290/1 The town of itself is nearly indefensible. |
2. Incapable of being defended in argument, maintained, or vindicated; unjustifiable, inexcusable.
| 1529 More Dyaloge i. Wks. 151/1 His proude foly, in the defence of his indefensible errour. a 1614 Donne βιαθανατος (1644) 123 Of which I perceive not any kinde to be more obnoxious, or indefensible then that..so common with our Delinquents to stand mute at the Barre. 1745 Wesley Answ. Ch. 5 Those Expressions..of our own Countrymen, are utterly indefensible. 1799 Kirwan Geol. Ess. 65 This hypothesis is as indefensible as the foregoing. 1849 Cobden Speeches 35 It is manifestly unjust and indefensible, that you should tax the people of this country for the expenses of our colonies. 1883 Froude Short Stud. IV. i. iii. 34 To risk the peace of the Church in so indefensible a quarrel seemed obstinate folly. |
Hence indefensiˈbility, indeˈfensibleness, the quality or character of being indefensible; indeˈfensibly adv., in an indefensible manner, so as not to admit of defence.
| 1690 J. Mackenzie Siege London-Derry 21/2 Collonel Lundy..spoke so discouragingly..concerning the indefensibleness of the place. 1776 Mickle tr. Camoens' Lusiad ix. Note 32 (R.) Some of the terms of expression are still indefensibly indelicate. 1823 Bentham Not Paul 216 The utter indefensibility of the design. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. xxix, The indefensibleness of her marriage. 1891 T. R. Lounsbury Stud. Chaucer I. Introd. 20 The evidence..seems to me sufficient to show the idefensibility of any such position. |