defeasible

[ dih-fee-zuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being annulled or terminated.

defeasible

/ dɪˈfiːzəbəl /

adjective

1. law (of an estate or interest in land) capable of being defeated or rendered void
2. philosophy (of a judgment, opinion, etc) having a presupposition in its favour but open to revision if countervailing evidence becomes known Compare incorrigible

Derived Forms

• deˈfeasibleness, noun

Other Words From

• de·feasi·ble·ness de·feasi·bili·ty noun
• nonde·feasi·bili·ty noun
• nonde·feasi·ble adjective
• nonde·feasi·ble·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of defeasible¹

From the Anglo-French word defesible, dating back to 1580–90. See defeasance, -ible

Example Sentences

It must be of a thing defeasible, and all the conditions must be strictly carried out before the defeasance can be consummated.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• feeble
• fruitless
• futile
• impotent
• inadequate
• incompetent
• indecisive
• ineffectual
• inefficient
• inept
• limited
• null
• powerless
• unable
• unproductive
• unprofitable
• unsuccessful
• worthless