Middle English Dictionary Entry
supportāble adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | supportāble adj. |
| Etymology | Prob. from OF supportable, but cp. the etym. data in ME unsupportāble adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Capable of being upheld, defensible, reasonable; (b) able to be endured, bearable.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1454) Pecock Fol.(Roy 17.D.9)34/30 : Þis discrecioun now tauȝt and rehercid is so fyndable in resoun to be trewe þat þouȝ no man þerof make mensioun in writyng, ȝit it is supportable and algatis to be alowid.
b
- c1450 Capgr.St.Kath.(Arun 396)5.1754 : Som wenen we cristen, whanne we deye, We lese þing, to us that is supportable; I seye we lese þing that is disseyuable..a leuynge ful of stryf.