justifiable

CEFRB2

/dʒˈʌstəˌfaɪəbəl/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

01
adjective
Capable of being justified.
02
adjective
Extra detail
Describing an illegal and intentional act that is nevertheless not blameworthy, for example because its positive consequences outweighed the bad. Distinguished from excusable, describing an involuntary illegal act.

Examples

Different jurisdictions often have distinct definitions of justifiable homicide.
It was a case of clearly justifiable self-defense.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Deep Dive

Extra meaning

In context

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The word in print, with each source given in full.

It was at all times clear that, from the point of view of the idea it conveys to us, every motion must be considered only as a relative motion. Returning to the illustration we have frequently used of the embankment and the railway carriage, we can express the fact of the motion here taking place in the following two forms, both of which are equally justifiable: (a) The carriage is in motion relative to the embankment, (b) The embankment is in motion relative to the carriage. In (a) the embankment, in (b) the carriage, serves as the body of reference in our statement of the motion taking place. —
1917, Albert Einstein, Relativity: The Special and General Theory, Part II.

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From Middle French justifiable. By surface analysis, justify + -able.