indefeasible

adjective

in·​de·​fea·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfē-zə-bəl How to pronounce indefeasible (audio)
: not capable of being annulled or voided or undone
an indefeasible right
indefeasibility noun
indefeasibly adverb

Did you know?

We acquired "indefeasible" in the mid-16th century by combining the English prefix in- ("not") with "defeasible," a word borrowed a century earlier from Anglo-French. "Defeasible" itself can be traced to an Old French verb meaning "to undo" or "to destroy." It's no surprise, then, that something indefeasible is essentially "un-undoable" or "indestructible." Another member of this family of words is feasible, meaning "capable of being done or carried out." Ultimately, all three - "indefeasible," "defeasible," and "feasible" - can be traced back to the Latin verb facere, meaning "to do."

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of indefeasible was in 1548

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Dictionary Entries Near indefeasible

Cite this Entry

“Indefeasible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indefeasible. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indefeasible

adjective
in·​de·​fea·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfē-zə-bəl How to pronounce indefeasible (audio)
: impossible to abolish
indefeasible rights
indefeasibly adverb

Legal Definition

indefeasible

adjective
in·​de·​fea·​si·​ble ˌin-di-ˈfē-zə-bəl How to pronounce indefeasible (audio)
: not capable of being annulled or voided
an indefeasible right
indefeasibly adverb

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