[vi.a.ble] adj [F, fr. MF, fr. vie life, fr. L vita--more at vital] (ca. 1832) 1: capable of living; esp: capable of surviving outside the mother's womb without artificial support "the normal human fetus is usually ~ by the end of the seventh month"
2: capable of growing or developing "~ seeds" "~ eggs" 3 a: capable of working, functioning, or developing adequately "~ alternatives" b: capable of existence and development as an independent unit "the colony is now a ~ state" c (1): having a reasonable chance of succeeding "a ~ candidate" (2): financially sustainable "a ~ enterprise" -- vi.a.bil.i.ty n -- vi.a.bly adv