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

Science—the research programme, the experimental method, the interlocking of pure science and new technology, the language of defeasible knowledge—was invented between 1571 and 1704.

From Literature

The complex tapestry of riparian rights and “prior appropriation” legal doctrines could even be materially changed by the government applying a type of eminent domain to underlying acreage or defeasible water rights.

From Forbes

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

Wotton’s ‘Tacit Reserve’, which is the principle that all scientific reasoning is defeasible, is of fundamental importance.

From Literature

Related Words

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