pregnable

[ preg-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being taken or won by force:

   a pregnable fortress.

2. open to attack; assailable:

   a pregnable argument.

pregnable

/ ˈprɛɡnəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being assailed or captured

Derived Forms

• ˌpregnaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• pregna·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pregnable¹

1400–50; late Middle English prenable < Middle French prenable, pregnable, equivalent to pren- (weak stem of prendre to seize, take < Latin pre ( he ) ndere; prehension ) + -able -able; -g- perhaps from obsolete expugnable (in same sense)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pregnable¹

C15 prenable, from Old French prendre to take, from Latin prehendere to lay hold of, catch

Example Sentences

In another instant I was working my ramrod through the earthen roof of our air-tight, although scarcely pregnable citadel.

From Project Gutenberg

A cute old soul was Biddy, and extensive the knowledge experience had given her of the pregnable points of general character.

From Project Gutenberg

The city was encircled by walls and fortifications of great strength and height, and scarcely pregnable even if accessible.

From Project Gutenberg

At the inhospitable silence they waxed restive; they assaulted and forced the pregnable barriers, and invaded the premises.

From Project Gutenberg

He did not know each man has his weak point, and that Mortomley's pregnable spot lay close to the colours himself had begotten.

From Project Gutenberg