a. (UN-1 7 b.)
1625. Donne, Serm., 657. They have bound themselves not to recede from those doctrines, how unmaintenable soever they be in themselves.
1701. Norris, Ideal World, I. vi. 352. The defence of so desperate and unmaintainable a breach.
a. 1832. Bentham, Levelling Syst., Wks. 1843, I. 362. The good expected … would be altogether unattainable—at least unmaintainable for two instants together.
1853. Grote, Greece, XI. 499. That the festivals … were unmaintainable during such a war.
1883. Law Times, 22 Dec., 135/1. The society … was … an illegal society … and the action was consequently unmaintainable.
