tenable

adj

Etymology: From the French tenable, from tenir (“to hold”); compare tenible.

1. capable of being maintained or justified; well-founded

   “Back in the 1800s, many did not consider Darwin's theory of evolution to be tenable at all.”

   “Modern war rests on industry, and its evolution has all but abolished the "non-combatant," emptied the old idea of "innocent" trade of meaning, and made even of neutrality a barely tenable status.”

2. Capable of being defended against assault or attack; defensible

   “The island of Melos undoubtedly fell within his general conceptions of tenable empire for Athens.”

3. Fit for habitation, similar, or related use.

   “In February, 1679, he was admitted "a planter" of the town and a home lot was granted him "on condition that it should have a tenable house built upon it within two years.”

   “They made a day of straightening the leaning stable on its foundations and staying its framework, so that with new roof and sheathing, it would be a tenable building for many years to come.”