defensibly, adv.
(dɪˈfɛnsɪblɪ)
Also 5–6 -sably, 6 -cibly.
[f. prec. + -ly2.]
† 1. In a ‘defensible’ manner; so as to afford defence or protection: see prec. 1. Obs.
| 1464 in Rymer Fœdera (1710) XI. 524 Every Man..be Well and Defensibly arrayed. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon cxliii. 530 Aboue .iii. M. horses defensably aparaylyd. 1599 R. Crompton Mansion of Magnan. N iv b, The houses were all of stone, very strongly and defencibly builded. |
2. In a manner defensible by argument; justifiably.
| 1880 Variorum Teachers' Bible Isa. vii. 14 The Hebrew prefixes the article, which A.V. defensibly regards as that of species. |