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untenability

 - 3 dictionary results

un⋅ten⋅a⋅ble

[uhn-ten-uh-buhl]
–adjective
1. incapable of being defended, as an argument, thesis, etc.; indefensible.
2. not fit to be occupied, as an apartment, house, etc.

Origin:
1640–50; un- 1 + tenable


un⋅ten⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, un⋅ten⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun


1. baseless, groundless, unsound, weak, questionable.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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un·ten·a·ble   (ŭn-těn'ə-bəl)   
adj.  
  1. Being such that defense or maintenance is impossible: an untenable position.

  2. Being such that occupation or habitation is impossible: untenable quarters.

un·ten'a·bil'i·ty, un·ten'a·ble·ness n., un·ten'a·bly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

untenable 
1647, "incapable of being held against attack," from un- (1) "not" + pp. of tenable. Fig. sense is recorded from 1692.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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